Why we don't use underbars

[Matt Mackall]

On Fri, 2011-05-06 at 10:59 +0200, Martin Geisler wrote:
> Dirkjan Ochtman <dirkjan at ochtman.nl> writes:
> 
> > On Fri, May 6, 2011 at 09:46, Martin Geisler <mg at aragost.com> wrote:
> >> The coding style could go both ways: with or without underscores. If
> >> I have to remember the words anyway, then it's just a matter of doing
> >
> > Sure, but the coding style is what it is, changing it now would only
> > make things worse.
> >
> > Please stop bikeshedding now and just accept the way Mercurial has
> > been doing it for 6 years?
> 
> Both Sune and I accept that Mercurial has a coding style.
> 
> However, that does not conflict with discussing it -- reasonable people
> can discuss things even if they disagree.
> 
> Matt has explained that he like the coding style because it sort of
> follows the style in Python and because it removes ambiguities. I see
> and understand that point. I'm trying to weigh it up against the problem
> of reading long identifiers.

Then the obvious next question is: do you have a clinical long-term
memory problem we should know about? This has already been done.
Multiple times. On the list, on IRC, and in person, with you memorably
present.

> It is not dangerous to disagree like this. In fact, I feel that it is a
> sign that we are a healthy project when we can have such discussions.

I don't think it's healthy at all: it literally raises my blood
pressure.

I find it -extremely- frustrating when certain people who should have
already heard my answers bring up the same questions/arguments at
regular intervals, often sucking in newcomers, which (because I'm the
project leader) I then feel obliged to respond to.. with the same
answers. I can't tell if they think my time and patience are worthless
or if they're intentionally trying to troll me or if they have
early-onset dementia.

Feel free to vigorously debate new, interesting stuff. But expect me to
get annoyed if you force me to retread something for the nth time that
was settled five years ago. You may enjoy it, but it's completely unfun
for me.

-- 
Mathematics is the supreme nostalgia of our time.