#j expands to special variable *root*

[kchanqvq]

I think this is sketchy to use. I probably shouldn't use it for serious function, because *root* is dynamically scoped, and if user rebind it outside my serious function, it will break.

Any idea/plan to improve this?

[vlad-km]

What is problem ?

*ROOT* is a system constant.

Using it directly requires a certain level of knowledge of the system.

If a user rebind *ROOT* we assume they understand what they're doing and the consequences.

[kchanqvq]

*ROOT* is a system constant.

Ok, then this makes sense. Then it will be fine.

At some point our REPL implementation rebind it just for convenience, but later when I was working on it I removed it. I don't like it at all!

Example:

jscl/node/node.lisp

Line 21 in c423c7a

(let ((*root* *rl*))

[davazp]

What’s the alternative? A special symbol that can’t be rebound? It does not seem very conventional.

we could make it internal and not export it if we don’t have uses for it it.

[kchanqvq]

I think given we agree it's a system constant that shouldn't be rebind without good reason, it's totally fine. See my comments above -- I got my worrying impression because some old code rebind it just for convenience.

jscl/node/node.lisp

Line 21 in c423c7a

(let ((*root* *rl*))

[davazp]

I think this is because we didn't have oget and such before.

So with #j: you can only access constant paths, #j:foo:(concatene 'string "x" "1") isn't supported.

But yeah let's consider it internal

[kchanqvq]

I'm assured, closing this for now :)