Re: makeinfo no longer validates the menu structure

[Arsen Arsenović]

Hi,

Patrice Dumas <pertusus@free.fr> writes:

> On Thu, Jun 22, 2023 at 06:07:20PM +0200, Bruno Haible wrote:
>> Patrice Dumas wrote:
>> > It is on purpose that CHECK_NORMAL_MENU_STRUCTURE is needed, because
>> > with manually made menus and node directions, it is not really possible
>> > to be sure that an irregular structure is not done on purpose.
>> 
>> Are you serious about that? Reading an info file should not be an experience
>> like an adventure game, where each cave has an unknown number of hidden
>> entrances, or where you can leave a room through the EAST exit and enter
>> the next one through the SOUTH door.
>
> Very serious.  To me, if what is wanted is a book-like hierarchical
> structure, it is better to use sectioning commands, no explicit
> directions, and no menu (although for menu a way to specify a
> description independently of menu is still missing).  Otherwise, the
> author should be free to use whatever structure is best for the manual.
>
> There is an example of a test manual based on the guide/topic structure
> as used in Mallard (http://projectmallard.org/).  This is a sensible
> organisation for a manual, but it does not follow the hierarchical tree.

This is a neat idea, but I feel like the default people expect is likely
CHECK_NORMAL_MENU_STRUCTURE=1 (hence this bug report).

What do you think about inverting that default?

>> It's good that it's still possible to get this warning. But for my feeling
>> it's way too hidden behind the bars of customization variables.
>> 
>> How about adding an option '--validate' to makeinfo? Its effect - at least
>> in 'info' mode - should be to enable this CHECK_NORMAL_MENU_STRUCTURE 
>> variable.
>
> For the reasons stated above, I do not think that it is needed much, if
> following the tree structure, the trend is that there should not be
> explicit directions right now, and no menus in the future, but that's
> more Gavin call.  Regarding the name, it cannot be --validate, as it is
> not the reverse of --no-validate.

In a world where menus are implicit (which sounds like a nice world to
me) unless specified otherwise, I'd agree; but we're not there yet.

Have a lovely evening :-)
-- 
Arsen Arsenović

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