Re: SCM_LENGTH ???

[Bruce Korb]

Marius Vollmer wrote:

> We are!  In fact, SCM_LENGTH is already deprecated in 1.6, but not in
> a very verbose way.

That is wrong.  A comment in an obscure document somewhere
is insufficient notice.  You must do something to get someone's
attention.  In my case, I got bumped by someone trying to install
my stuff using an *ALPHA* version of Guile.  Bad.  Very bad.

> In 1.7, SCM_LENGTH has been removed.  You need to use
> scm_c_string_length or scm_c_vector_length, as appropriate.  (Or stick
> with 1.6.)

I cannot control my clients.  They will use whatever is installed.
They could (and do) still use 1.4.  Are these scm_c_*_length functions
available in 1.6 (let alone 1.4)?   DO NOT DISCARD INTERFACES WITHOUT
A _VERY_ LONG TRANSITION and please supply a bridge:

# define SCM_LENGTH(e) \
    (gh_string_p(e) ? scm_c_string_length(e) : scm_c_vector_length(e))

and please do not say, "use configury and do it yourself".
You see, I already have software in the field that cannot
be magically retrofit with such a definition.

> > Where did 1.7.1 come from anyway???
> 
> It came from alpha.gnu.org.  Here is the announcement again:
> 
> We are pleased to announce the release of Guile 1.7.1.  This is a
> 'technology preview' for the upcoming Guile 1.8.  It can be found
> here:
...
> This version is guaranteed to contain serious bugs, and the publically
> visible interfaces will almost certainly change before 1.8 is
> released.  The 1.7 releases might be termed "selected snapshots".

A disappearing interface is certainly a bug.

> We are releasing it anyway to start testing the new features, and to
> get feedback about how difficult or tedious it is to switch from Guile
> 1.6 to this series.

It is not possible to migrate released software.
Please ensure that *ALL* legacy interfaces are maintained.
Thank you.

Regards, Bruce

P.S. please forgive my crankiness.  It's been a long week....Sorry.