Subject: bug#49278: [External] : bug#49278: 28.0.50; Lisp Mode is for Common Lisp

From: Drew Adams <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 25 Sep 2021 16:03:53 +0000

> > I would just say "some Lisps, such as Common Lisp".
> 
> Since lisp-mode doesn't work for any Lisp other than Common Lisp,

There's no way to be sure of that, especially wrt
the future.

The point is that this is a mode that _can_ be
used with _some_ Lisps.  YMMV with another Lisp
you try to use it with.

And in particular, Common Lisp is a Lisp you
can probably use this mode with, to advantage.

Both of those pieces of info are helpful.

> that would be misleading.  People'll use it for
> their XYZ Lisp flavor, and it'll break.

Only if it happens to break XYZ Lisp.  Since
XYZ's a placeholder for an arbitrary supposed
Lisp, there's no reason to say it _will_ break
for all XYZ.
 
> > If this mode is not particularly appropriate
> > for some dialects, maybe say why
> 
> "Because it's only appropriate for Common Lisp."  Good enough?

No.  We don't know that.  We can't know that.

What we can say is that it _is_, for most purposes,
usable with Common Lisp code.  It _might_ be useful
for some other Lisps as well.

> > , or call out those dialects.
> 
> You realize there's a very large number of those, right?

You _can_ mention any dialects for which you
particularly want to let users know (1) this mode
might not be appropriate, or (2) there are modes
that are more appropriate.

Or you _can_ choose _not_ to mention any particular
modes for which you think the mode is inappropriate.

It's enough to say that the mode is appropriate for
some Lisps, including Common Lisp, and it might not
be appropriate for some other Lisps.

But if you think it's helpful to draw attention to
some other Lisps for which the mode might be
problematic, particularly Lisps for which there is
a better mode, then do so.