On Fri, Mar 06, 2009 at 08:48:49AM +0100, Hans Hagen wrote: > > >There are quite some applications in LaTeX, that are based on > >the possibility to redefine a primitive command, e.g. > >\shipout is redefined in various packages (atbegshi, everyshi, > >pdftex.def for background color, ...). > > Another application is debugging, e.g. \special is a candidate, > >that can be redefined to print its contents to the .log file > >additionally. > > All these wouldn't be possible, if \(pdf)primitive was used. > > i assume that if the core engine uses \primitive\shipout that it doe > with a purpose; actually the core should provide a proper way to > overload its behaviour then;
In opposite to ConTeXt the core of LaTeX(2e) is frozen and it doesn't provide proper ways. :-( > i woul dnot be surprised that when packages > overload primitives, that when users load several in (an arbitrary) > order, problems show up anyway Of course it would reduce the amount of trouble, if the core would provide more proper ways. Perhaps LaTeX3 will be better. Yours sincerely Heiko <[email protected]>
