recent `float' current_column changes

recent `float' current_column changes

[Miles Bader]

I notice that `current_column' now returns a float.

However, every place the value is returned to lisp, it is is converted
to an integer.

Why not just allow lisp programs to see it too?  I'll bet that if they
just do the normal sort of arithmetic and call indent-to-column on the
result they would basically work the same way as they do with an int --
unless indent-to-column accepts a float, in which case, they'd work
_better_...

-Miles
-- 
I'd rather be consing.

Re: recent `float' current_column changes

[Thien-Thi Nguyen]

Miles Bader <miles@gnu.org> writes:

   Why not just allow lisp programs to see it too?  I'll bet that if they
   just do the normal sort of arithmetic and call indent-to-column on the
   result they would basically work the same way as they do with an int --
   unless indent-to-column accepts a float, in which case, they'd work
   _better_...

yes, that's the plan.  i think the only computation using columns that might
result in unexpected behavior would be those involving division (for example,
`center-line' or some of the alignment packages).  i'm not prepared to look
into this at the moment (concentrating on using iterators to calculate widths)
but the door is open for experimentation and parallel changes.  (go for it!)

thi

Re: recent `float' current_column changes

[Miles Bader]

Thien-Thi Nguyen <ttn@glug.org> writes:
>    Why not just allow lisp programs to see it too?
> 
> yes, that's the plan.

I see; so the current state is just temporary?

Thanks,

-Miles
-- 
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur.

Re: recent `float' current_column changes

[Thien-Thi Nguyen]

Miles Bader <miles@lsi.nec.co.jp> writes:

   I see; so the current state is just temporary?

all current state is temporary (according to some dead wise dude :-).

it's important to look at the "iftc" casts on a case by case basis.  at the
end of the process, all of them may indeed warrant removal, but that's not yet
clear to my casual (and somewhat conservative) eye.  i'm hoping to learn
enough, mostly by listening to others, to form a real opinion at some point.

thi

Re: recent `float' current_column changes

[Richard Stallman]

    Why not just allow lisp programs to see it too?  I'll bet that if they
    just do the normal sort of arithmetic and call indent-to-column on the
    result they would basically work the same way as they do with an int --
    unless indent-to-column accepts a float, in which case, they'd work
    _better_...

That is the idea -- the Lisp functions should return floats,
when necessary.