[r6rs-discuss] [Formal] Change the "add-prefix" import syntax in libraries

From: MichaelL_at_frogware.com <MichaelL>
Date: Mon Nov 13 10:50:54 2006

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This message is a formal comment which was submitted to formal-comment_at_r6rs.org, following the requirements described at: http://www.r6rs.org/process.html
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Name: Michael Lenaghan
Email: michaell at frogware.com
Type: Simplification
Priority: Minor
Component: Libraries
Version: 5.91
Section: 6.1 Library form (pg 21)
Dependencies: 6.4 Examples (pg 25)
Summary:
Change the "add-prefix" import syntax in libraries to make it slightly 
more consistent or add "drop-prefix" to make the inconsistency worthwhile.
Description:
An <import set> is defined as:
        <library reference>
        (only <import set> <identifier> ...)
        (except <import set> <identifier> ...)
        (add-prefix <import set> <identifier>)
        (rename <import set> (<identifier> <identifier>) ...)
"add-prefix" stands out in this list because of its verb-noun form. 
Strictly speaking, the difference isn't warranted; "prefix" is a verb as 
well as a noun (http://www.answers.com/prefix&r=67):
        1. To put or attach before or in front of.
        2. To settle or arrange in advance.
        3. Grammar.
                1. To add as a prefix.
                2. To add a prefix to.
PLT Scheme (
http://download.plt-scheme.org/doc/352/html/mzscheme/mzscheme-Z-H-5.html#node_chap_5
) uses "prefix" as a verb with other modifiers:
        require
                prefix
                prefix-all-except
        provide
                prefix-all-defined
                prefix-all-defined-except
The use of "add-prefix" in the context of R6RS may have its roots in Chez 
Scheme (http://www.scheme.com/csug7/syntax.html#./syntax:h5):
        add-prefix
        drop-prefix
Here at least the reason for the difference in form is readily apparent.
Recommendation:
Change "add-prefix" to "prefix" or add "drop-prefix".
Received on Sun Nov 12 2006 - 23:09:18 UTC

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