Issue ERROR-TERMINOLOGY-WARNING Writeup

Issue:         ERROR-TERMINOLOGY-WARNING


References:    ANSI CL spec (Jul 20, 1989 draft) p.1-12


Category:      CHANGE (to terminology only)


Edit history:  1-Feb-90, Version 1 by Moon

               4-May-90, Version 2 by Moon (fix critical typo)


Problem description:


  Page 1-12 of the draft defines the phrase "a warning should be issued"

  in a way that is not consistent with "an error should be signalled."

  The latter "should" refers to the safety level, but the former

  "should" just means "might" (depending on the implementation).


  To use this term is to muddy the otherwise clear conceptual relation

  between "should" and "high safety".


  This is Symbolics issue #1.


Proposal (ERROR-TERMINOLOGY-WARNING:MIGHT):


  Change the term to "a warning might be issued" and update all uses of

  the term throughout the document.


Rationale:

  

  It's important for the document to be consistent in its terminology.

  

Current practice:


  People are sloppy in their terminology.


Cost to Implementors:


  None.


Cost to Users:


  None.


Cost of non-adoption:


  The specification document will be more difficult to understand.


Performance impact:


  None.


Benefits:


  The specification document will be less difficult to understand.


Esthetics:


  The specification document will be less difficult to understand.


Discussion:


  None.