Re: gnuplot-4.4.0-rc1 breaks gnuplot script

[Hans-Bernhard B. <HBB...@t-...>]

Ethan Merritt wrote:
> On Friday 12 February 2010 11:26:36 Teo S Bernhard wrote:

>>>> the below shortened example reproducing the error message:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> # file: trial.gpl
>>>> f(x)=x
>>>> plot a=1, \
>>>>      f(x)*a   title "data from index a=1" w l lw 2 lt a ,  a=a+1,       \
>>>>      f(x)*a   title "data from index a=2" w l lw 2 lt a ,  a=a+1,       \
>>>>      a=0 

I see no particularly compelling reason why this can't be changed to

a=0 ; plot \
      f(x)*a   title "data from index a=1" w l lw 2 lt a ,  a=a+1, \
      f(x)*a   title "data from index a=2" w l lw 2 lt a ; a = 0

Note the semicolons.

The whole purpose of changing variables' values in the plot command is 
for that to take effect _between_ datasets/functions.  There's no need 
at all for that to be possible before the first, or after the last of them.

> So I think you have been depending on undocumented, probably unintended,
> behavior.

And there's no need for adding a feature that allows it now.  A 
semicolon instead of the comma achieves the same effect already.

> What do others think?  Is there good reason to rework the code to allow
> this, and change the documentation to match?

IMHO, no.