GNU bug report logs - #4827
23.1.50; frame-visible-p documentation

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From: help-debbugs <at> gnu.org (Emacs bug Tracking System)
To: Chong Yidong <cyd <at> stupidchicken.com>
Subject: bug#4827: marked as done (23.1.50; frame-visible-p documentation)
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:25:05 +0000

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Your message dated Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:15:17 -0400
with message-id <87vdhvfpsq.fsf <at> stupidchicken.com>
and subject line Re: 23.1.50; frame-visible-p documentation
has caused the Emacs bug report #4827,
regarding 23.1.50; frame-visible-p documentation
to be marked as done.

This means that you claim that the problem has been dealt with.
If this is not the case it is now your responsibility to reopen the
bug report if necessary, and/or fix the problem forthwith.

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From: stepnem <at> gmail.com
To: bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org
Subject: 23.1.50; frame-visible-p documentation
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:41:00 +0100

[In GNU Emacs 23.1.50.1 (i686-pc-linux-gnu, GTK+ Version 2.12.9)
 of 2009-10-28]

C-h f frame-visible-p:
"""
(frame-visible-p FRAME)

Return t if FRAME is now "visible" (actually in use for display).
A frame that is not "visible" is not updated and, if it works through
a window system, it may not show at all.
Return the symbol `icon' if frame is visible only as an icon.

On a text-only terminal, all frames are considered visible, whether
they are currently being displayed or not, and this function returns t
for all frames.

"""

Could please someone explain a few points mentioned below, and if
possible, fix the docstring to make them clear without further
explanation?

1. What does "if it works through a window system" mean? I assume "it"
means "frame", but is "a frame works through a window system" a good
formulation?

2. Why say "if it works through a window system, it may not show at all"?
If I understand correctly, on a text-only terminal, i.e. without "a
window system", there can be only one frame really visible at a time
(i.e. not "visible", but visible); and according to the second
paragraph, all frames are "visible", i.e. considered visible -- so why
"if ..., it may not show at all"?

3. What does being visible only as an icon mean?

The second paragraph is quite clear, although I really would like to
know why is there no distinction regarding "visibility" in a terminal or
what is the motivation for such behaviour (i.e. returning t for all
frames).

As a suggestion, wouldn't it at least make more sense to start the first
paragraph with 'Under a window system...' and get rid of that unclear
conditional mentioned under 1. and 2. above?

Regards

Štěpán Němec 

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From: Chong Yidong <cyd <at> stupidchicken.com>
To: stepnem <at> gmail.com
Cc: 4827-done <at> debbugs.gnu.org
Subject: Re: 23.1.50; frame-visible-p documentation
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:15:17 -0400

I've updated the docstring of frame-visible-p to make it clearer.

> 3. What does being visible only as an icon mean?

Minimized.  This is Emacs terminology dating from long along.

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