Johannes Schindelin <Johannes.Schindelin@xxxxxx> writes: > On Tue, 30 Jul 2019, Junio C Hamano wrote: > >> "Derrick Stolee via GitGitGadget" <gitgitgadget@xxxxxxxxx> writes: >> >> > +#define UPDATE_DEFAULT(s,v) do { if (s == -1) { s = v; } } while(0) >> >> [...] >> 3. When we learn to set default values for variables that are not >> boolean in the future, we will regret that we did not name it >> UPDATE_DEFAULT_BOOL(slot, value). > > On the other hand, as we never promised any kind of API (and this is not > even an internal API to begin with), it will be _easy_ to rename it in > the unlikely event that we would ever introduce non-boolean defaults to > override, wouldn't you agree? I agree that it is easy to say that it is easy to rename it later and burden somebody else with the task. I know that the renaming itself is easy, when you limit yourself within the scope of a single topic, whether done now or later. I also know that having to worry about other topics in flight has non-zero cost. I also know that you are not the one who will bear it---I will be. So from my point of view, if we can make a prediction, even with limited knowledge that a name may need to be renamed in the future, it is better not pick such a name and instead use one that we think it has a better chance of surviving without needing a rename.