Personally, I think this would be an excellent idea. I would gladly pay for a copy of the book, and even more if it was CC-licensed (or similarly Free). I think I’m a fair bit behind you in Emacs/Elisp expertise – I’ve read “Intro to Emacs Lisp” and can write functions, but haven’t graduated to making a minor or major mode yet.
– saintaardvark 2015-09-06 16:27 UTC
Hi Marcin,
This sounds like a fantastic project!
In my view, a good book on modern Emacs extension development would be more useful than a book describing certain modes. There are a ton of great blogs and screencasts in that area already.
I’d be particularly interested in a chapter on how to write extensions that use magit’s “command console” [1]. Mickey has written on it and if another book introduces the concept it might be established as a quasi-standard for new extensions (which I think would be great for Emacs as a platform).
Another thing that could be useful is a chapter on distributing and updating packages through (M)ELPA.
I’d also consider a chapter on external tool integration, i.e. the scenario where you have a cool CLI tool and you want to make it work in Emacs buffers (like Flycheck, for example).
Good luck and keep us updated!
Thanks,
Lukas
[1] https://www.masteringemacs.org/article/introduction-magit-emacs-mode-git
– lmichelbacher 2015-09-06 20:49 UTC
Thanks to both of you!
Re: writing modes, it’s not really that difficult – not everyone has the need to do so, though. (I had.)
Re: magit console: I’d have to look into it. Sounds interesting. (I use Magit on a daily basis, and I agree that its UI is great. It’s definitely one of the Emacs killer apps.) Though I don’t feel that I’m powerful enough to make something even a quasi-standard
.
Re: packaging: this is not yet written, but planned. I agree that it is a good idea.
Re: external tool integration: that is a great idea, thanks! It involves a few “advanced” topics, like processes, probably a mode derived from special-mode, and such, but it is something that is definitely worth writing!
Re: licensing: I’ll think about it more. Now I have to get back to writing. I will definitely post updates from time to time.
– Marcin Borkowski 2015-09-12 06:16 UTC