New Issue: WRITE-NEWLINE

[Tim Koschmann <KOSCHMANN@SUMEX-AIM.Stanford.EDU>]

Issue: 		WRITE-NEWLINE
References:	CLtL p. 382
Category:	ADDITION
Edit history:	20-Oct-88, Version 1 Tim Koschmann

Problem Description:

CL introduced an omnibus write function with optional keywords for all of the print control variables.  However, to produce the behavior of the print function is cumbersome using only the write function.

Proposal WRITE-NEWLINE:

Add another keyword for the write function called :newline (or some such) to produce the behavior of the print function.


Test Case:
CL> (dotimes (index 4)
   (write index :newline))
0
1
2
3
NIL

Rationale:

There is no need for new users to have to know five different output primatives.  The language would be easier to learn if you only needed to know one function for printing.

Current Practice:

I am aware of no implementation that offers this feature.

Cost to Implementors:

Negligible

Cost to users:

none

Cost of Non-Adoption:

An opportunity lost to try and simplify the language.

Benefits:

The language would be more consistent and easier to learn.

Esthetics:

A small improvement.

Discussion:

None

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