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Cleanup Issue `WRITE-NEWLINE`

Category: ADDITION
References: CLtL p. 382

Problem Description

CL introduced an omnibus write function with optional keywords for all of the print control variables. However, to produce the behavior of the print function is cumbersome using only the write function.

Proposal WRITE-NEWLINE:

Add another keyword for the write function called :newline (or some such) to produce the behavior of the print function.

Test Cases

CL> (dotimes (index 4) (write index :newline)) 0 1 2 3 NIL

Rationale

There is no need for new users to have to know five different output primatives. The language would be easier to learn if you only needed to know one function for printing.

Current Practice

I am aware of no implementation that offers this feature.

Cost to Implementors

Negligible

Cost to Users

none

Cost of Non-Adoption

An opportunity lost to try and simplify the language.

Benefits

The language would be more consistent and easier to learn.

Aesthetics

A small improvement.

Discussion

None

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Edit History

20-Oct-88, Version 1 Tim Koschmann