Re: Reorganizing the contents of the \paper block

[Mats Bengtsson]

Carl D. Sorensen wrote:
> On a related note, I think it would be cleaner to _always_ require users to put in the 
> necessary scope levels, i.e. don't have lilypond put the \book block in by default.  It 
> would make it a bit harder to get started, but would make it much easier to move from the 
> "beginning user" stage to doing complicated scores.
>   
Honestly, how many of you have ever used several \book blocks in the
same file (which is the only reason ever to to use an explicit \book block)?
Therefore, I don't think it's a good idea to make the \book compulsory.
On the other hand, I have argued a number of times that we should make
\score{...} compulsory. Primarily for the benefit of beginners, since it
makes it much more clear what lines in a file that really result in any
output and which are just macro definitions. I have seen many question
on the mailing list that are related to the fact that people don't realize
what becomes a \score and what doesn't.
Also, for more experienced users it give a natural starting point when you
look at a .ly file that you wrote yourself some year ago or that 
somebody else
has written, just like I always start by looking or the main() function 
when
looking at a C or C++ program.
Then, again, I don't think it would be a good idea to force people to
enter all scope levels. Then even the simplest example file would look like
\score{
 \new Staff {
   \new Voice {
     c'1
   }
 }
}

  /Mats