Cleanup Issue ERROR-TERMINOLOGY-WARNING

Category
CHANGE (to terminology only)
References
ANSI CL spec (Jul 20, 1989 draft) p.1-12

Problem Description

Page 1-12 of the draft defines the phrase "a warning should be issued" in a way that is not consistent with "an error should be signalled." The latter "should" refers to the safety level, but the former "should" just means "might" (depending on the implementation).

To use this term is to muddy the otherwise clear conceptual relation between "should" and "high safety".

This is Symbolics issue #1.

Proposal (MIGHT)

Change the term to "a warning might be issued" and update all uses of the term throughout the document.

Rationale

It's important for the document to be consistent in its terminology.

Current Practice

People are sloppy in their terminology.

Cost to Implementors

None.

Cost to Users

None.

Cost of Non-Adoption

The specification document will be more difficult to understand.

Performance Impact

None.

Benefits

The specification document will be less difficult to understand.

Aesthetics

The specification document will be less difficult to understand.

Discussion

None.

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