On 12/28/2016 6:14 PM, Alan Braslau wrote:

Hi Hans, Hi list,

This is similar to what we have discussed earlier on this list and
elsewhere regarding \over vs. \frac. (I agree with Knuth that {a \over
b} is *much* more readable in running source code than \frac{a}{b} but
have resigned myself to use \frac{}{}, as this can be made better
behaved and gives a much better result.)

Other traditional TeX constructs like \int^a_b have their charm (and
need to remain supported, just like is \over), but I support
introducing and encouraging the use of new constructs like your example
below. An alternative syntax (that could co-exist) would be admitting
$\left\int ... \right.$, but I do not know what limitations there might
be with both the (luatex) engine and with ConTeXt.

the tricky part there is that int has super and subscripts while left / right are different animals ... i looked into this (in the engine) and decided to delay implementing that (i might do it some day but it's sort of tricky to keep compatibility)

also, ints are upright (extensible or stepwise sizes) or slanted (stepwise sizes) so even if we support something there are some limitations due to lack of font support (could be dealt with in due time)

The problem with extensions, like always, in straying from traditional
TeX is interchangeability of code, or, more importantly, in the
learning curve obstacles that this introduces to traditional TeX (and
LaTeX) thinking. I know that at some level we do not care, for we often
make (good) design choices that improve the syntax of ConTeXt.

Perhaps we can use this thread to discuss other cases (like \sum, ...)
that present difficulties and then decide on good solutions.

sure ...

Hans

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