Re: Defaults for set-variable

[Kevin Rodgers]

Juri Linkov wrote:
> In regard to `set-variable', the Emacs manual contains in the node
> (info "(emacs)Examining"):
>
>   `C-h v VAR <RET>'
>        Display the value and documentation of variable VAR
>        (`describe-variable').
>
>   `M-x set-variable <RET> VAR <RET> VALUE <RET>'
>        Change the value of variable VAR to VALUE.
>
> This clearly indicates that these commands are complementary:
> `describe-variable' displays the value of any variable, and
> `set-variable' changes its value.  It unambiguously says that
> it changes a variable, not an user option.
>
> The current implementation contradicts the command name `set-variable'
> and its documentation.
>
> I see only one way to avoid this inconsistency - to have two commands:
> `set-variable' for setting variables, and `set-user-option' for setting
> user options.

Why not `C-u M-x set-variable' to set any variable (not just user
options), just like `C-u M-x apropos-variable' shows all variables.

--
Kevin Rodgers