RE: customize-set-(value|variable) [was: apropos commandsforcommands, user options, all functions, all variables]

[Drew Adams]

>     An interactive function that provides completion and a degree of
>     type checking is much, much handier than using `setq' with `M-:'.
>
> Why would you use M-: (eval-expression) each time you want to evaluate
> an expression rather than write it in a .emacs file?  In such a file,
> you only need to write it once.

= When did I stop beating my wife?

I don't use `M-:' each time I want to evaluate an expression. I do use an
init file. Why do you assume otherwise?

I also use `M-:' sometimes. So what? Why would I write each expression I
want to evaluate in .emacs, just to be able to evaluate it using C-x C-e?

There is no one way to use Emacs. I think `customize-set-value', Customize,
and completion are all handy at times. You presumably prefer to write only
Lisp, and only in files or *scratch*. Vive la difference - Emacs has room
for us all.

> To check it, I place point after it and run the command eval-last-sexp
> (`C-x C-e') which I find easier to evoke than M-:.  (On my keyboard a
> colon requires me to press a shift key.)  After I have written the
> expression right, I leave it in my .emacs file.

Yes, and?  Did someone say you shouldn't do that? Nothing stops you from
doing all your customization in .emacs.

This discussion is about interacting with custom.el features. You're not
proposing that we remove Customize, `custom-file', `defcustom', and all the
rest, are you? Their existence doesn't prevent anyone from ignoring them and
using .emacs for everything.

> In my .emacs file I have completion with the command
> lisp-complete-symbol.

My hat is old. My teeth are gold. I have a bird I like to hold. (One Fish
Two Fish - T. Seuss Geisel)

No relation to the present discussion of using completion with custom.

> For temporary expressions, like (format "%c" ?\x8b8)
> and (ascii-display) I use the *scratch* buffer. (That is
> what is in it now.)

I use .emacs, *scratch*, and other, temporary and permanent Lisp files too.
I use C-x C-e et compagnie as well. They are all wonderful fellows. So what?