Emacs: Evaluate Elisp Code
To evaluate a single lisp expression, move cursor to the right of the last closing parenthesis, and
Alt+x eval-last-sexp
【Ctrl+x Ctrl+e】.
To evaluate all elisp code in a text selection, Alt+x eval-region
.

Here's ways to eval elisp code, roughly in order of usefulness:
- Alt+x
eval-last-sexp
【Ctrl+x Ctrl+e】 - Eval lisp expression to the left of cursor.
- Alt+x
eval-region
- Eval text selection.
- Alt+x
eval-buffer
- Eval whole buffer.
- Alt+x
load-file
- Eval a file. It prompts.
- Alt+x
eval-defun
- Eval function definition block the cursor is in. (the elisp code must be well-indended, otherwise emacs may have problem finding function.) [see Emacs: narrow-to-defun, eval-defun, bug]
- Alt+x
eval-expression
- Prompts you to type code.
Emacs Lisp Command Line Interface (REPL)
Alt+x ielm
to start emacs interactive emacs lisp shell.

ielm
I recommend working in a buffer instead of REPL.
Working in a buffer (sometimes called notebook inteface) allows you to use full editing power, and eval any expression, in any order, anytime, anywhere. [see Interactive Shell/REPL vs Notebook Interface]