Re: delete-selection-mode as default (WAS: Some developement questions)

[Bingo <right.ho@gmail.com>]

Le 8 septembre 2018 12:53:46 GMT+05:30, Eli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org> a écrit :
>> Date: Sat, 08 Sep 2018 09:19:21 +0530
>> From: Bingo <right.ho@gmail.com>
>> 
>> Can we consider changing defaults only for users who don't have any
>init file at all ?
>> 
>> This change may not solve many problems, due to two other features of
>emacs : 
>
>What problems will such a change solve?
>
>Personally, I think that changing the behavior just because there's an
>init file, even though that init file doesn't explicitly mention the
>affected features, would be confusing.
>
>More importantly, I think the argument about the defaults, at least
>for veteran Emacs users matters mainly when there is no init file
>anyway.

I mean :

1. When Emacs first starts, see if there is an init file. Various modern software do so, so we would be on solid ground there.

2. If so, trust the user that he would have set delete-selection-mode as required. This would avoid stepping on the toes of power users : which form the majority of Emacs users.

3. If not, create an init file with these "modern" options. This can attract the new users we want. Modern software create a lot of files and registry entries for cache and config, no one would blame Emacs.

>
>> 1. Emacs undo is frustrating for most new users. Correcting mistakes
>with delete-selection-mode i.e. restore
>> a selection that was deleted due to a mistaken delete by
>typing/pasting , will need them to use undo. 
>> 
>> 2. In their attempt to play with undo/redo, they might do C-y. Which
>pastes in Emacs : but it is the key for redo
>> in many "modern" editors. This can cause more unintended deletions in
>delete-selection-mode.
>
>So I guess you are saying delete-selection-mode should not be turned
>on by default?  If so, why do we need the change you propose?

Personally, I would rather delete-selection-mode not be on by default. But I know nothing about what is good for new users. If it must be turned on, maybe people with init files can be spared ?


Thanks a lot

Hi Eli, clarified inline :