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Re: master c290b034e0f 1/2: Move `wholenump` alias definition
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From: |
Philip Kaludercic |
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Subject: |
Re: master c290b034e0f 1/2: Move `wholenump` alias definition |
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Date: |
Sun, 03 Sep 2023 10:46:40 +0000 |
Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org> writes:
>> From: Mattias Engdegård <mattias.engdegard@gmail.com>
>> Date: Sun, 3 Sep 2023 12:22:07 +0200
>> Cc: philipk@posteo.net,
>> emacs-devel@gnu.org
>>
>> 3 sep. 2023 kl. 12.07 skrev Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>:
>>
>> > I'm guessing that was for compatibility with some other Lisp.
>>
>>
>> Maybe an obscure dialect (can't find it in Common Lisp, MacLisp or
>> Interlisp).
>>
>> The symbol `wholenump` is most commonly seen by users in errors as
>> it's generated by CHECK_FIXNAT. It would be good to change that to
>> the less obscure `natnump`, and it seems implausible that such a
>> change would break any code. Any objections?
>
> You assume that "natnump" will be much more clear? why?
The term natural number is less likely to confuse a reader (though it is
not perfect either, due to disagreements on whether or not 0 is a
natural number).
> It will definitely break decade-long habits, and for what? for the
> benefit of some abstract rigor?