GNU bug report logs - #73709
29.4; Doc of `file-newer-than-file-p'

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Message #48 received at 73709 <at> debbugs.gnu.org (full text, mbox):

From: Michael Heerdegen <michael_heerdegen <at> web.de>
To: Eli Zaretskii <eliz <at> gnu.org>
Cc: 73709 <at> debbugs.gnu.org, drew.adams <at> oracle.com
Subject: Re: bug#73709: 29.4; Doc of `file-newer-than-file-p'
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 2024 02:23:09 +0200

Eli Zaretskii <eliz <at> gnu.org> writes:

> > Apart from that: if it is hard or not practical to describe what the
> > function returns in every case, we can instead try to describe major
> > use cases.
>
> That'd mean a lot of text to write to describe what should be clear
> enough, at least as far as Emacs is concerned.  I don't think it's our
> job to describe how the various filesystems work.

This is not what I suggested.  My suggestion was to tell something like
"For example, this function is used to check whether a file should be
restored from an auto-safe file, or needs to be recompiled".  This is
possible without describing how filesystems work, or how quantum
chromodynamics work.


> Very well, but please remember your opinions in this matter, because
> if someone comes up asking for more details about "last modification
> times" (perhaps even Drew himself, e.g. because someone asked some
> question on SE), I will defer to you and Stefan to deal with the
> fallout.

When you say "[...] should be clear enough": are you sure that the
misinterpretation as "file creation time" only can happen to me and to
Drew - because we are exceptionally stupid Emacs users?  If not: do you
have any better idea?

And: Sure can you ask for my help, but, with all respect, please not in
such a way, Eli.


Michael.

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