diff options
Diffstat (limited to 'lispref/loading.texi')
| -rw-r--r-- | lispref/loading.texi | 15 |
1 files changed, 14 insertions, 1 deletions
diff --git a/lispref/loading.texi b/lispref/loading.texi index 01b648d0026..8254107e710 100644 --- a/lispref/loading.texi +++ b/lispref/loading.texi @@ -583,7 +583,8 @@ loaded, by calling @code{eval-after-load}. @defun eval-after-load library form This function arranges to evaluate @var{form} at the end of loading the -library @var{library}, if and when @var{library} is loaded. +library @var{library}, if and when @var{library} is loaded. If +@var{library} is already loaded, it evaluates @var{form} right away. The library name @var{library} must exactly match the argument of @code{load}. To get the proper results when an installed library is @@ -594,6 +595,18 @@ An error in @var{form} does not undo the load, but does prevent execution of the rest of @var{form}. @end defun +In general, well-designed Lisp programs should not use this feature. +The clean and modular ways to interact with a Lisp library are (1) +examine and set the library's variables (those which are meant for +outside use), and and (2) call the library's functions. If you wish to +do (1), you can do it immediately---there is no need to wait for when +the library is loaded. To do (2), you must load the library (preferably +with @code{require}). + +But it is to use @code{eval-after-load} in your personal customizations +if you don't feel they must meet the design standards of programs to be +released. + @defvar after-load-alist An alist of expressions to evaluate if and when particular libraries are loaded. Each element looks like this: |