accumulated "(package-initialize)" lines

accumulated "(package-initialize)" lines

[frederik]

Hi all,

I'm not subscribed to this list and hope my message gets through;
please Cc me on replies.

I noticed that my ~/.emacs files on various systems start accumulating
multiple sections that say:

    ;; Added by Package.el.  This must come before configurations of
    ;; installed packages.  Don't delete this line.  If you don't want it,
    ;; just comment it out by adding a semicolon to the start of the line.
    ;; You may delete these explanatory comments.
    (package-initialize)

Apparently whatever code inserts that line isn't able to check
correctly that the line has already been inserted.

I got various kinds of advice on #emacs IRC like "write to emacs-devel
and ask them to revert that 'feature'" and "I just patch it out of
emacs".

I'm not sure where I stand on the question of add-ons that add stuff
to my configuration files, but it would be nice if they worked
correctly. And it sounds like this feature has been an annoyance to
some of your more experienced users, which makes me wonder if their
opinions aren't being given enough weight.

Thanks,

Frederick Eaton

Re: accumulated "(package-initialize)" lines

[Stefan Monnier]

> I noticed that my ~/.emacs files on various systems start accumulating
> multiple sections that say:
>
>     ;; Added by Package.el.  This must come before configurations of
>     ;; installed packages.  Don't delete this line.  If you don't want it,
>     ;; just comment it out by adding a semicolon to the start of the line.
>     ;; You may delete these explanatory comments.
>     (package-initialize)

I'd recommend you reach right away for the M-x report-emacs-bug.

> And it sounds like this feature has been an annoyance to some of your
> more experienced users, which makes me wonder if their opinions aren't
> being given enough weight.

They haven't been nearly loud enough, I guess:
I haven't even noticed those sentiments.  But in your case (where they
accumulate), it's not even a question of liking or not, it's just
a clear cut misbehavior.


        Stefan