RE: [External] : Re: Emacs Modular Configuration: the preferable way.

[Drew Adams <drew.adams@oracle.com>]

> > > Why are you using 'format' where expand-file-name should be used?
> >
> > Does it really make a difference in a personal configuration, especially
> > when you don't use Windows or other non /-delimiting systems?
> 
> (a) It's definitely slower; (b) it teaches you bad habits, which you
> are likely to apply even in non-personal cases; (c) this here is a
> public place where you affect others, not just your personal code on a
> known flavor of systems.

+1.

It's common for those new to Elisp to look for, find,
and use string-manipulation functions to manipulate
file names and their components.  Unfortunately (but
understandably).

Those things are not just strings - they're strings
with particular meaning and behavior.  Which is why
Elisp has particular functions to support them.

Just-strings naivete is hard enough to guide folks
around (away from), without help sites such as this
reinforcing it, however inadvertently.  Guidance
and discussion here that prevents or corrects such
misunderstanding is helpful.

Once pointed to things like `expand-file-name', it
behooves you to use them.  You won't regret it, and
doing so will help others by passing along the tip.