Re: [Emacs-diffs] master 35c893d 2/2: Move gensym to core Elisp

[Stefan Monnier <monnier@IRO.UMontreal.CA>]

> According to [1] (page 53), MACLISP didn't have a visible
> gensym-counter, and instead used an integer argument to gensym to allow
> programs to set an internal counter. According to [2], it was only
> decided in 1989 to have *gensym-counter* in CL, so before then having an
> integer argument made sense if you wanted to manipulate the gensym
> state.

An integer arg that lets you set the internal counter makes some
sense, yes.  But the integer arg implements in cl-lib.el (and in clisp,
FWIW) does not affect the internal counter.

> but I wonder if people who use an integer argument here are the type
> of people to use `cl' instead of `cl-lib'.

I think using the plural here is rather optimistic.  I'd already be
surprised if there's even just one user of that functionality.


        Stefan