Re: Is there a way of setting a variable only when it exists?

[Emanuel Berg]

Jean Louis wrote:

>>>> If that happens, compiling your init.el will then
>>>> normally give you an "assignment to free variable"
>>>> warning, no?
>>>
>>> I didn't think about it. OTOH, why would I compile my
>>> init.el?
>> 
>> To get .elc which is better, faster byte-code as well as
>> the other advantages of code-improvement that the
>> byte-compiler's messages leads to if you take proper action ...
>> 
>> This has been mentioned many times over the years here not
>> the least ...
>
> It's going to be over the years not easily understood.
> Maybe Emacs need some better "warning" or instructions how
> to initiate byte compiling.

Well, the OP has heard these arguments and others before,
many times.

As for introductions, I know only of

  (info "(elisp) Byte Compilation")

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