Re: [Emacs-diffs] master b533552 2/5: Documentation fixes re quotes

[David Kastrup]

Paul Eggert <address@hidden> writes:

> Richard Stallman wrote:
>
>> Doc strings should be written
>> with straight quotes, so the example should show straight quotes.
>
> That example came very early in the tutorial, where it's inappropriate
> to be burdening the novice reader with low-priority detail like
> quoting,

It stops being a low-priority detail when it is not possible to write
basic Lisp expressions without employing \\= liberally.

In fact, in many DOC strings writing 'xxx as an isolated expression you
have instead substituted `xxx' instead.  Switching from a version the
Lisp interpreter will accept to a version that requires quoting by the
user is not a mere cosmetic change.

If we change Emacs to a system that treats "novice readers" with
contempt, not worth teaching correct code and documentation, that is a
solid step backwards from hacker ethics.

-- 
David Kastrup