GNU bug report logs - #15649
24.3.50; removal of "special-display" from Emacs and Elisp manuals

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Message #5 received at submit <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Drew Adams <drew.adams <at> oracle.com>
To: bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org
Subject: 24.3.50; removal of "special-display" from Emacs and Elisp manuals
Date: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 15:04:47 -0700 (PDT)

Please put back the doc about special-display buffers.  This is a useful
concept, and the special-display variables and functions are easy to use.

This should not have been jettisoned in your excitement to revamp
`display-buffer' and implement `display-buffer-alist'.  It is much
easier and more understandable for someone to use
`special-display-regexps' or `special-display-buffer-names' than it is
to use `display-buffer-alist' to try to accomplish the same thing.

Having `display-buffer-alist', to be able to deal with every fantastic
combination imaginable, does not preclude also having the easy-to-use
special-display features.  You've added to the possible, unintelligible,
and corner cases, but you have thrown out the baby with the bathwater:
The common, simple cases are now as complex as any others.  Nothing is
gained by throwing special-display away.  KISS.  Think of Emacs users.

In GNU Emacs 24.3.50.1 (i686-pc-mingw32)
 of 2013-10-09 on LEG570
Bzr revision: 114596 jan.h.d <at> swipnet.se-20131009185014-vynfyw4o8p5fge54
Windowing system distributor `Microsoft Corp.', version 6.1.7601
Configured using:
 `configure --enable-checking 'CFLAGS=-O0 -g3' CPPFLAGS=-DGLYPH_DEBUG=1'

Message #8 received at 15649 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Glenn Morris <rgm <at> gnu.org>
To: 15649 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#15649: 24.3.50;
 removal of "special-display" from Emacs and Elisp manuals
Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 20:55:02 -0400

tags 15649 wontfix
stop

No. It's obsolete.

Message #13 received at 15649 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Drew Adams <drew.adams <at> oracle.com>
To: Glenn Morris <rgm <at> gnu.org>, 15649 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: RE: bug#15649: 24.3.50; removal of "special-display" from Emacs and
 Elisp manuals
Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 19:50:49 -0700 (PDT)

> tags 15649 wontfix
> stop
> 
> No. It's obsolete.

"It's obsolete because it's useful" seems to be the logic.
Misguided.

The invention of the armored humvee does not make bicycles
obsolete or useless.

Not to mention that these options are used to implement
`display-buffer' (`display-buffer--special-action' etc.)
and `special-display-popup-frame'.

What reason can you give for making users jump through the
`display-buffer-alist' hoop-jungle & obstacle course, just
to accomplish what these options accomplish so simply and
directly?  No reason?  Imagine that.

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