I'm very new to emacs, just started yesterday. I'm installing plugins for emacs to make a python IDE, as per: http://hide1713.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/setup-perfect-python-environment-in-emacs/

I copied auto-completion.el to ~/.emacs.d/plugins/ directory,
I pasted the code that they had in my ~/.xemacs/init.el:

(add-to-list 'load-path "~/.emacs.d/")  
(load-file "~/.emacs.d/plugins/auto-completion.el") ; <- did this later when it couldn't find the file

(require 'auto-complete)  
(global-auto-complete-mode t)   

but it gave me an error:

Symbol's function definition is void: define-global-minor-mode

So far my biggest problem has been along the lines of the above one:

If any of the el file in ~/.emacs.d/ have errors, it asks me to open a xemacs -debug-init but that always produces a blank screen instead of a stacktrace.

There's no way for me to figure out where the error came from.
How do i test individual functions within these el files?

You seem to imply you're using XEmacs? I would start over with GNU Emacs if that's the case. They are not interchangeable.

Most of the help and blogs and what not from the INTERNETS are for GNU Emacs. Most packages only maintain conpatibility with GNU Emacs. XEmacs development has also been stagnant for quite a while.

EDIT: apparently I didn't use strong enough language.

_{(source: wikimedia.org)}

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XEmacs has ceased development.

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NO package you encounter will likely be compatible with it.

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As a new user, there is no choice as to which Emacs to use. It's just GNU Emacs.

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I have nothing against XEmacs. I am a former XEmacs user. This is just reality.