Re: wrong type error in local variables

[Joost Kremers <joostkremers@fastmail.fm>]

On Thu, Jul 02 2020, Douglas Lewan wrote:
> I have a TeX file with the following local variables:
>
>      Local Variables:
>      eval: (ab-new-buffer (prog1 (find-file "chapter16.tex") 
>      (message "After find file.")))
>      End:
>
> The (find-file) succeeds. (There's a buffer with that file and I 
> see the 
> message.) However, overall I get this error:
>
>      File local-variables error: (wrong-type-argument stringp 
>      nil)
>
> I assume the call to (ab-new-buffer) gets the error, but as far 
> as I can 
> tell that call never happens. (ab-new-buffer) has the following 
> definition:
>
>      (defun ab-new-buffer (buffer-or-name)
>        (error "Now in (ab-new-buffer)."))
>
> I never see that error.
> What am I missing?
>
> FYI The data above are obviously reduced to a minimal case. With 
> the 
> correct definition of (ab-new-buffer) a full battery of tests 
> passes.

Seems to work fine for me. Are you sure you have nothing else in 
your local variables block? And what about the local variables 
block of the file you're finding in your local variables block 
(i.e., "chapter16.tex")?

Try setting `debug-on-error` (do `M-x toggle-debug-on-error`) and 
then open the file. You should then get a backtrace that may 
provide more information. If you don't know what to make of it, 
post it here.

HTH

-- 
Joost Kremers
Life has its moments