Re: Problem with gnus-parameters

[Tassilo Horn <tassilo@member.fsf.org>]

Lars Magne Ingebrigtsen <larsi@gnus.org> writes:

> Please type slower; I'm not getting what you're saying.  :-)

We can play that game for hours.  Oh, I've overlooked the (gcc-self) in
the "emacs" clause.  Anyway, the following setting will result in the
same effects.  Look, I've even lined it up for you! :-)

 '(("gmane"      (foo "lala") (bar "zot") (gcc-self . t))
   ("emacs"      (foo "emacs")                          ))

>    gmane.foo:   foo=lala,    bar=zot,    gcc-self
>    gmane.emacs: foo=emacs,   bar=zot,    no gcc-self

Now, let's inspect the effects:

  - the (bar "zot") entry is only set in the "gmane" clause, yet we have
    its value also in gmane.emacs

  - the "lala" foo value gets overridden in the gmane.emacs group,
    because that defines its own foo setting

  - the gcc-self (which is a group parameter and not a group local
    variable like foo and bar) is *not* propagated to gmane.emacs, as
    one would expect because of bar

To me, that inconsistency between group local variables and group
parameters is far from obvious.  I'd prefer, if in gmane.emacs gcc-self
was active, too, i.e., I'd expect these effects:

     gmane.foo:   foo=lala,    bar=zot,    gcc-self
     gmane.emacs: foo=emacs,   bar=zot,    gcc-self

Then, we had full consistency in how group local variables and group
parameters defined in `gnus-parameters' work, and the behavior would
also be consistent with how `gnus-posting-styles' are applied.

Got it, now?  I really can't be more precise.

That said, although it's inconsistent, I can easily live with it.  If
you decide the current way is how the great spaghetti monster wants it
to be, that's fine.  But it needs a precise documentation then.

Bye,
Tassilo