Re: Are pragmas always "instructions"? (was: Re: What is a pragma?)

Sounds like you're debating terminology, but agree on basics.

I like Bethans 'directives'?
What should be done, not how.

HTH

On Sat, 29 Jan 2022 at 10:12, Bethan Tovey-Walsh <accounts@bethan.wales> wrote:
>
> > Since pragmas may be defined using declarative semantics, as well as
> > with imperative semantics, the word "instructions" makes me nervous;
>
> Okay, I can understand that, although I’m not sure I agree (more below).
>
> > saying that pragmas convey information (and in particular information
> > not conveyed by the standard semantics of ixml, or not conveyed in the
> > same way) seems more general, and is intended to cover both declarative
> > and imperative semantics (and anything else).
>
> For my money, it’s much *too* general. Comments also convey information, for example.
>
> Firstly, I wonder whether we can help you make peace with “instructions”? I have two ways of looking at it that may or may not help:
>
> a) An instruction needn’t be simply a command. Think of assembly instructions for some furniture: it’s totally reasonable to see items of the type “The square peg goes into the square hole”, or “You should have 12 long bolts and 6 short bolts”. They’re declaratives, not imperatives, but I don’t think that means they’re not properly instructions.
>
> b) Pragmas instruct the processor. They either instruct it “to…” or instruct it “that…”. The former is imperative; the latter, declarative.
>
> Secondly, if “instructions” still doesn’t work for you, how about “directives” or “directions”?
>
> Very best,
>
> BTW
>


-- 
Dave Pawson
XSLT XSL-FO FAQ.
Docbook FAQ.

Received on Saturday, 29 January 2022 10:23:38 UTC