RE: [External] : Re: Making a function than can only be used interactively

[Drew Adams]

> > Only after byte-compile of a file?
> > So there is no way to actually make a function interactive only?
> 
> Please define what it is you mean by "make a function interactive
> only".
> 
> Do you mean that it should be illegal to write code that calls the
> function directly, so whoever writes it can be sued?
> Would it be acceptable for someone to just think about writing such
> code as long as they don't actually write it?
> 
> More seriously, what are you trying to gain by "mak[ing] a function
> interactive only"?  Usually, the reason why one might want to make
> a function "interactive only" is that code that calls this function is
> probably incorrect and would likely be served better by some
> other function.  So the purpose is to help people write better code.
> For this reason the declaration only has an effect in terms of
> byte-compiler warnings: those who don't bother to byte-compile their
> code presumably don't care about the quality of their code anyway.
> 
> Emacs doesn't offer any pre-defined way to really enforce that
> a function is only used interactively, and in large parts this is
> because, as a matter of design principle, Emacs makes no effort to stop
> people from shooting themselves in the foot (instead, it tries to make
> it easier for people not to shoot themselves in the foot).

Indeed.

(My crystal ball whispers there's an X-Y problem
under the covers here somewhere...)