title: How do I best use common-lisp in elisp (if at all)?
body: <p>Can someone please explain what the specific issues are with using the cl package in elisp?  As a new coder in emacs I feel as though I'm making a mistake whenever I reach for the (require 'cl) option.  I have read and understood the byte-compilation issue with the cl package.  I have looked at the old arguments and have no wish to revive them. I am also not looking for any generalist comment on whether common-lisp is better than x brand lisp.</p>
  
  <p>What I would like to know is practically how to use common-lisp so that any elisp I write will have a good chance of being accepted by the majority of elisp coders.  Specifically, should I avoid using common lisp entirely, or are there some parts of the language that are acceptable to everyone and some parts where a good majority of coders would snigger and scoff at?</p>
  
  <p>Without wishing to limit the breadth of the answer, is this:</p>
  
  <pre><code>(mapcar (lambda(x) (* x x)) '(1 2 3))
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>much more acceptable than this:</p>
  
  <pre><code>(require 'cl)
  (loop for el in '(1 2 3) collect (* el el))
  </code></pre>