Re: [PATCH] Derive non-default start value for ordered list

[Nicolas Goaziou]

Hello,

Jens Lechtenboerger <address@hidden> writes:

> currently, we have to write the following to continue an ordered
> list from a value different from 1:
>
> 42. [@42] Answer
> 43. Question?
>
> The requirement to type redundant information with the @-syntax
> always struck me as odd.  For my export backend org-re-reveal, I
> recently received a request to export lists without @-syntax to
> their “correct” start values [1].
>
> Before working on my backend, I’d like to ask for feedback: Why was
> the @-syntax introduced?  Of what non-obvious effects should I be
> aware?
>
> What do you think about the attached patch that allows to omit the
> @-syntax?  Controlled by the new variable
> org-list-use-first-bullet-as-non-standard-counter, the code assigns
> a counter value to the first list item from its bullet string if the
> item
> 1. does not specify a counter itself,
> 2. has an alphanumeric bullet, and
> 3. does not have a default start value (1, a, A).

I think the current situation is better. It works, as advertised, and it
allows you to re-number any item in the list, not necessarily the first
one.

Of course, it may be less "elegant", but the overhead is negligible,
and, as a data point, I'd rather have continuation lists more visible
than not, as it could create confusion in the document.

I do not know about org-re-reveal, but included exporters do not display
the [@xxx] part. However, they use its value to start lists at an
appropriate number, if technically possible. I suggest org-re-reveal to
do the same if that's not the case.

Regards,

-- 
Nicolas Goaziou