GNU bug report logs - #34708
alist-get has unclear documentation

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Message #104 received at 34708 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Michael Heerdegen <michael_heerdegen <at> web.de>
To: Drew Adams <drew.adams <at> oracle.com>
Cc: Eric Abrahamsen <eric <at> ericabrahamsen.net>, 34708 <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: bug#34708: alist-get has unclear documentation
Date: Tue, 12 Mar 2019 18:45:40 +0100

Drew Adams <drew.adams <at> oracle.com> writes:

> Why have REMOVE instead of just letting users
> set the value (explicitly) to DEFAULT?

That's the default behavior without using REMOVE.  Removing associations
is also a valid use case and in my eyes still consistent with the place
semantics.

> That would really follow "the expected semantics of setf", with
> nothing funny going on, no confusion.
>
> `alist-get' is a function, not just a gv place.  Argument REMOVE makes
> no sense for the function (does it?).  All the other args do make
> sense for the function.  Shouldn't all of the args to a function make
> sense for it?  Should we add args that are only used by `setf'?  Has
> that been done before?

Ok, REMOVE is more or less your only criticism.  I too find it a bit
odd, especially the additional argument, but not too odd and useful
enough to keep it.  It's very debatable, agreed.


Michael.

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