GNU bug report logs - #51876
28.0.60; Confusing prompt for setting a bookmark

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Message #43 received at 51876 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Drew Adams <drew.adams <at> oracle.com>
To: Lars Ingebrigtsen <larsi <at> gnus.org>, Eli Zaretskii <eliz <at> gnu.org>
Cc: "51876 <at> debbugs.gnu.org" <51876 <at> debbugs.gnu.org>,
 Stefan Kangas <stefan <at> marxist.se>
Subject: RE: [External] : bug#51876: 28.0.60; Confusing prompt for setting a
 bookmark
Date: Thu, 18 Nov 2021 17:08:31 +0000

> > Not that it matters now, but I'm curious: why "append" and not "add"?
> 
> With "append" it's clear that we're talking about a list of names, while
> "add" is ambiguous.

We're _not_ appending.  Not at all.

We're actually _setting_ the bookmark with
that name to the specified (typically new)
location.  "Set" is the right word.  It's
precisely the word for what happens.

It's true that wrt the `bookmark-alist'
we're "adding" the bookmark to the front
of the alist ("prepending", if you like).

But we're not adding a bookmark to those
that are in effect at the current time.
Once the new bookmark is "added" this way,
any previously existing bookmarks with the
same name are _no longer usable_ (till the
new one is removed).  They _exist_ on the
alist (users can manipulate them there,
e.g., using Lisp), but they're not usable
as such (you can't jump to them, etc.).

So far, you're just making things worse,
I'm afraid.

`bookmark-set' sets a bookmark.  "Set"
means create or update.

That there are 2 ways to deal with
previously created bookmarks with the same
name is a different question, and is best
dealt with by having two commands, one of
which prompts for confirmation to overwrite
(see my previous msg).

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