bug#71438: [PATCH] Allow ping to receive optional arguments

[Eli Zaretskii]

> Cc: 71438@debbugs.gnu.org
> From: Stefan Kangas <stefankangas@gmail.com>
> Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2024 05:02:51 -0700
> 
> Does this deserve to be announced in NEWS?

Yes, IMO.

> > -(defcustom ping-program-options
> > +(defcustom ping-program-default-options
> >    (and (eq system-type 'gnu/linux)
> >         (list "-c" "4"))
> >    "Options for the ping program.
> 
> This needs an `define-obsolete-variable-alias'.

I actually wonder why change the name of the option at all?

> There is an extra RET before you can ping, so the change is
> backwards-incompatible.  I rarely if ever use `M-x ping`, so I can't
> give a very informed opinion here, but:
> 
> - Perhaps we should make it prompt for options only with a prefix
>   command?

Yes, I think we should do that, in which case the change is no longer
backward-incompatible.