There seem to be two opposing yet valid viewpoints to the question of doing it right vs. compatibility with S-Plus.
Compatbility with older version of R is a third overlapping
possible goal.
There does not appear to be an overall statement of intent in R, but rather, this question and others are approached on a case by case basis.
I think this point was discussed and settled a long time ago. It may actually pre-date the mail archives:
1/ Do it right.
2/ If it does not conflict with 1/, have S-plus compatibility.
3/ If back compatibility with older versions of R cannot be maintained to accomplish 1/ then make the transition as painless as possible and try to isolate the screaming to remote locations like Seattle and Ottawa :).
I would say that eliminating "_" for assignment is a pretty strong indication of how much 1/ dominates. The main problem seems to be that it sometimes takes awhile to know what "right" is, and in the meantime 2/ dominates.
Paul Gilbert
______________________________________________ [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list https://www.stat.math.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-devel
