fresh-line (was: Re: [Maxima] Some main loop fixes)

> I'm picking up this thread because I am not quite happy about the
> patch (except for the last hunk)

Well, I think Jim's answer from January 18 pretty well summarizes how I feel
about it myself: "I would like to understand exactly what is going on a
little better, but Viktor's solution seems to work and life is short." If it
is found that the patch breaks more things then it fixes, dump it.

> By the way, somebody could please explain why those additional
> newlines are considered a major problem for Maxima?

Not a major problem, just an annoyance. Personally, I definitely prefer the
output without the newlines.

Actually, I have another question in the same vein: Why is it necessary for
Maxima to be compatible with every LISP compiler out there? Just to be
clear, I don't mind it (indeed, using different LISPs proved to be quite a
good way to catch some subtle errors), I'm just curious. Are there really
people out there who can download and install Maxima but not, say, GCL, or
is there some other reason why cross-compiler compatibility is necessary? (I
have a feeling that I'm missing something obvious here that should have hit
me right in the nose.)


Viktor