GNU bug report logs - #6576
documentation `string-to-char' is incorrect

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

From: MON KEY <monkey <at> sandpframing.com>
To: bug-gnu-emacs <at> gnu.org
Subject: documentation `string-to-char' is incorrect
Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2010 17:34:41 -0400

First sentence of doc string for `string-to-char' is incorrect.

,---- (documentation 'string-to-char )
| "Convert arg STRING to a character, the first character of that
| string.  A multibyte character is handled correctly.
|
| (fn STRING)"
`----

Should be something more like:

  "Return decimal integer value of first character in STRING."

The rationale for the proposed docstring change are:

- The second clause of sentence doesn't parse;

- The arg string (nor its 1st char) are _not_ converted, e.g.:

  (let ((not-cnvrtd "bubba"))
    (string-to-char not-cnvrtd)
    not-cnvrtd) ;; <- value of not-cnvrtd is a string not a char.

- It is more in keeping with what the manual says:

  ,---- (info "(elisp)Basic Char Syntax")
  | Since characters are really integers, the printed representation
  | of a character is a decimal number.
  `----

Affliced docstring appears in GNU Emacs 23.2.1 and current through
Bzr-100633

--
/s_P\

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