Re: Getting more info on a variable in Customize buffers

[Luc Teirlinck]

Per Abrahamsen wrote:

   > So, it sounds like perhaps we should reconsider what the aim of this
   > so-called "initial Lisp expression" is. What is the need that its display 
is
   > meant to satisfy?

   The idea is to allow the user to edit the *unevaluated* expression
   that is used to initialize the variable at start-up.  For example

   (defcustom foo (if window-system 'x 2) 
     "doc"
     :type 'sexp)

   Here, "show initial Lisp expression" will show 

      (if window-system 'x 2)

   You can then edit and save that value.  

That is apparently not what it does.  If you set, say,
auto-revert-interval, which is 5 by default, to 10 and save for
future sessions, then set it to 20 for this session only, "show
initial Lisp expression" will show 10, not 5.

Sincerely,

Luc.