<div dir="ltr">While we are at it, I propose we alter the underlying NIF as well. For a long time, the precision of the soon-to-be-deprecated `erlang:now()` call is way too small. And while it properly compensates for leap seconds and other shenanigans, we can do better. I propose we add support for Hydrogen MASERs[0].<div>
<br></div><div>Since a MASER sells for about $235,000 the added precision will greatly enhance Erlang as a language. Once the code is applied, we can remove[1] the old imprecise code. While this might greatly diminish the number of future Erlang installations, I feel it is the right course of action going forward.</div>
<div><div><br></div><div>[0] <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_maser">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_maser</a></div></div><div>[1] As per Fred's suggestion, the right course of action is instant removal since deprecation is a finer weapon for a distant age before Eternal September.</div>
<div><br></div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, Apr 1, 2014 at 1:48 PM, Roberto Aloi <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:roberto.aloi@erlang-solutions.com" target="_blank">roberto.aloi@erlang-solutions.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">Hi all,<br>
<br>
Since we're planning backward-incompatible changes to the calendar module, I'd like to use this opportunity to replace Gregorian seconds with Ulfian seconds.<br>
Even if the Gregorian calendar has been the unofficial global standard for decades, this would be a great sign of respect to Ulf Wiger, who gave so much to the Erlang community.<br>
"ulfian" is also shorter than "gregorian" and easier to type, even without a Dvorak keyboard.<br>
Finally, this would also be a crucial step in the process of de-Christianization of the Erlang programming language.<br>
<br>
Kind regards,<br>
<br>
Roberto Aloi<br>
<div class="HOEnZb"><div class="h5"><br>
----- Original Message -----<br>
> Why I agree:<br>
><br>
> - Backwards compatibility and proper deprecation is annoying, not a<br>
> convenience. It is far more confusing to have a function relating to<br>
> time named 'now' than having breaking changes in your code, no matter<br>
> how well-documented it is.<br>
> - The name you chose is less descriptive than before (it no longer<br>
> relates to time), which forces people to look inside docs, which is<br>
> great. I love documentation.<br>
> - You orphaned a bunch of names in other modules, namely:<br>
> - timer:now_diff/2<br>
> - calendar:now_to_local_time/1<br>
> - calendar:now_to_universal_time/1<br>
> - calendar:now_to_datetime/1<br>
> Which logically now need to be renamed:<br>
> - timer:bigger_than_last_time_diff/1<br>
> - calendar:bigger_than_last_time_to_local_time/1<br>
> - calendar:bigger_than_last_time_to_universal_time/1<br>
> - calendar:bigger_than_last_time_to_datetime/1<br>
> I always felt calendar had way too short names and believe this is an<br>
> improvement for the better in the long term.<br>
> - Today is the best day for this change to happen, definitely.<br>
><br>
> Regards,<br>
> Fred.<br>
><br>
> On 04/01, JD Bothma wrote:<br>
> > This patch tries to improve the name of erlang:now/0 to make its behaviour<br>
> > a little more obvious for the sake of least surprise. It's a breaking<br>
> > change, but I really think it's worth it to reduce confusion.<br>
> ><br>
> > This is only the first step - if you think it looks ok I can do the rest.<br>
> ><br>
> > git fetch git://<a href="http://github.com/jbothma/otp.git" target="_blank">github.com/jbothma/otp.git</a> fix-erlang-now-name<br>
> ><br>
> ><br>
> > <a href="https://github.com/jbothma/otp/compare/erlang:maint...fix-erlang-now-name" target="_blank">https://github.com/jbothma/otp/compare/erlang:maint...fix-erlang-now-name</a><br>
> ><br>
> > <a href="https://github.com/jbothma/otp/compare/erlang:maint...fix-erlang-now-name.patch" target="_blank">https://github.com/jbothma/otp/compare/erlang:maint...fix-erlang-now-name.patch</a><br>
> ><br>
> > All the best<br>
> > JD<br>
><br>
> > _______________________________________________<br>
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</div></div></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br>J.
</div>