Re: define key with "\s-" super modifier in string?

[Richard M. Stallman]

        (global-set-key "\s-n" 'compile)

        Debugger entered--Lisp error: (error "Key sequence SPC - n uses invalid 
prefix characters")
        ...

    Is this a bug?

It is correct to signal an error, because you can't put a super-char
in a string.

Maybe the error message should say that more specifically.

    works, but it isn't very friendly eps. as the documentation has
    examples using strings, eg

         (global-set-key "\C-z" 'shell)

The manual explains using vectors for this.
Would you please be more precise than "the documentation"?
Where precisely are you talking about?

    The documentation mentions exceptions, but does not include \s

           When the key sequence includes function keys or mouse button
       events, or non-ASCII characters such as `C-=' or `H-a', you must
       use the more general method of rebinding, which uses a vector to
       specify the key sequence.

It does not say this is a complete list of non-ASCII characters, so
why are you surprised that there are others?