Re: Why is defun not executed during load-file?

[Stefan Monnier via Users list for the GNU Emacs text editor <help-gnu-emacs@gnu.org>]

Jean Louis [2021-05-30 12:02:25] wrote:
> I have this in the hyperscope.el and upon load-file the last function
> is not executed, it does not generate the functions. But if I evaluate
> it specifically, it generates functions.
>
> Is there any reason for that?
>
> (defun hyperscope-generate-the-add-function-by-hyperdocument-type (type-name id function-name)
>   (eval `(defun ,(intern (symbol-name function-name)) ()

My crystal ball says it's punishment for using `eval` and recommends
using macro(s) instead.  I wouldn't trust its judgment, but the
recommendation sounds useful anyway.

BTW, `intern + symbol-name` ends up a no-op if `function-name` is
already an interned symbol.


        Stefan