Re: defining many similar functions using macros

[David Kastrup <dak@gnu.org>]

Kevin Rodgers <ihs_4664@yahoo.com> writes:

> As someone else pointed out, the solution is to use the fset function
> instead of the macro:
>
> (defmacro define-tex-symbol (name)
>    `(fset (intern (concat "tex-" ,name))
>           (lambda ()
>             (interactive)
>             (insert "\\" ,name))))

It is completely pointless to use a macro here.  The only effect you
gain by it is side effects from multiple evaluation of `name'.  Just
use defun here: you can't hope to gain much efficiency from avoiding
just such a tiny bit of expansion in an otherwise complicated
operation.

To wit:
(defun define-tex-symbol (name)
   (fset (intern (concat "tex-" name))
         `(lambda () (interactive)
            (insert "\\" ,name))))

If you really want the "optimization", use defsubst instead of defun.

-- 
David Kastrup, Kriemhildstr. 15, 44793 Bochum