RE: Defaults for set-variable

[Drew Adams]

     > 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.

I would have proposed that long ago, but `C-u' is already defined to set the
variable buffer locally. - Drew