Re: e and pi

[Helmut Eller]

* Stefan Monnier [2010-09-16 13:25] writes:

> In their case, the solution is to rename them to `float-e' and
> `float-pi', but this introduces a backward incompatibility.
> I figure we could define-obsolete-variable-alias (which leaves the
> problem of `e' and `pi' being dynamically scoped, but hopefully only
> for a few versions until we remove the obsolete name), but this means
> that every code that does (let ((e <foo>)) ...) would now get a stupid
> warning about using an obsolete variable `e'.
>
> So I intend to do the following:
> - in Emacs-23.3, define `e', `float-e', `pi', and `float-pi' and declare
>   `e' and `pi' obsolete, but without a make-obsolete-variable
>   (i.e. only in NEWS and in docstrings).
> - in Emacs-24 keep float-e and float-pi but get rid of `e' and `pi'.
>
> Can anyone think of a better solution?

Lexically scoped constants.  I mean 

(defconstant e ...)

could declare that e is lexically scoped (but has a global binding).

So (let ((e <foo>)) e) would be legal, but it binds a lexical local
variable and not the dynamic variable.  Functions called in the dynamic
scope would not "see" the lexical binding and would use the global

A possible problem are macros that assume that e is a true constant and
never rebound.  That seems rare for e but would be a real problem for t.

Helmut