Re: problem: M-a M-e gives symbol's function definition is voide

[John Mastro]

Krishnakant <krmane@openmailbox.org> wrote:
> Here's the message from the buffer. Symbol's function definition is
> void: beginning-of-python-def-or-class Can you suggest what could this
> be? I also tryed running emacs -Q for bare bones setting and this
> still happens. Happy hacking. Krishnakant.

The function beginning-of-python-def-or-class isn't part of the
python-mode that's included with Emacs. It's part of a separate Python
mode that IIUC is, or at least was, distributed with Python. I've always
used the one that's included with Emacs so I don't know much about it.

Are you intentionally using the alternative python-mode, or is it
entering into this picture unexpectedly?

Also, please try typing `C-h k M-a' (or, equivalently, M-x describe-key
RET M-a) and report back what command it says M-a is bound to.

Trying to think this through, what confuses me is that the command bound
to e.g. M-a must be trying to call beginning-of-python-def-or-class, but
you've said it still happens in emacs -Q. It could be that the
alternative python-mode is being loaded even in emacs -Q (and binds its
own M-a), but in that case we would expect
beginning-of-python-def-or-class to be available.

If you're not intentionally using the alternative python-mode, perhaps
try running something like this in your shell:

    $ cd ~/.emacs.d
    $ grep beginning-of-python-def-or-class **/*.el

That may tell us where that symbol is coming from. Except, since this
also happens in emacs -Q, you may also need to check in other locations
on your load-path, which will depend on your system.

On a Debian-like system, I think this would cover everything in a
typical configuration, but I'm not at one to check:

    $ cd /usr/local/share/emacs
    $ grep beginning-of-python-def-or-class **/*.el

Hope that helps

        John