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backtraces

Backtraces are incredibly useful for debugging. Be aware though that tail-call elimination may have removed some function calls from the stack.

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unbound variables

Make sure you read the error messages carefully.

• Unbound variable means Lisp thinks the symbol is being used as a variable.
• Undefined function means Lisp thinks the symbol is being used as a function.

Often, you'll see a symbol that you know is defined in an error message. Perhaps though, due to incorrect parenthesization, a function is being used as a variable or vice versa:

? (cond (zerop x) (print 'ok)
Error: unbound variable ZEROP
 
? (let ((x 1) (y 2)) (print (x y)))
Error: undefined function X

Comments? Send mail to Chris Riesbeck.