Re: bug#47885: [PATCH] org-table-import: Make it more smarter for interactive use

[Utkarsh Singh]

On 2021-06-05, 19:40 +0700, Maxim Nikulin <manikulin@gmail.com> wrote:

> This line should be added to org-table.el, but notice "rx ‘not’ syntax 
> error: (or ". This logical operators have a bit different meaning for 
> regular expression.
>
> Nicolas suggested you to use `list' to avoid `eval'. Certainly `eval' 
> should be avoided whenever possible, but there is alternative with "`" 
> and "," instead of "'". Though I often prefer `list'.

Done.

>> Can you also share test.org so that I can test locally?
>
> I can reproduce it with an empty org file. Emacs-26.3. So I am curious 
> if your tested your patch at all.

Yes you are right I was not testing my patches using 'emacs -Q' and I am
apologetic about it.  I just "tested" most of them by M-x eval-buffer on
the patched file and then checked the output of `with-temp-buffer'.

>> Now on the topic of CSV parser, I have succesfully implemented a CSV
>> parser in less than 65 LOC which also preserves newline character but I
>> am facing a dilemma on how should I represent it as a Org table.  For
>> ex:
> ...
>> 6,"Cell with new
>> Line",6.28
>
> Due to
> https://orgmode.org/worg/org-faq.html#Tables
> "Will there ever be support for multiple lines in a table field? No."
> (there are may be some tricks in Org manual) any variant is acceptable, 
> even current one. Since during export split cell is considered as 
> different rows, it is responsibility of the user to preprocess original 
> file and import it in a form suitable for Org.
>
> However independently of chosen variant, it would be great to get list 
> of warnings with ambiguous lines similar to compiler errors. Such 
> feature is not implemented in Org yet, the most close is `org-lint' 
> result (its behavior differs from compiler errors).

After reading FAQ about multiple lines in table field I don't think this
PATCH makes much sense as my main driving force for this patch was to
simplify regular expression in `org-table-convert-region' and somehow
add newlines support.

I also think `org-table-convert-region' is doing a fine job and I should
keep my "I want to contribute...." habit in check.

> I expect complexity O(number of lines in result). I do not like 
> excessive usage of `dolist'. I would try slicing subrows using `mapcar' 
> while there is at least one non-nil element.

Yes! Currently I am trying to sequentially read Elisp manual and I have
completed the section on 'Mapping Function' yesterday.  I think it's a
really nice language feature that I can make use of.

> P.S. Have you read "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs" 
> by Abelson, Sussman, and Sussman?
> https://sarabander.github.io/sicp/html/index.xhtml
> or https://mitpress.mit.edu/sites/default/files/sicp/index.html
> While reading, it is necessary to realize that elisp is not scheme, tail 
> recursion should be avoided in elisp and there are over differences.

Thank you! I have seen most of the decision on Lisp includes SICP but I
am currently stopping myself to Elisp manual to learn something useful
about this timeless editor and learn thing in a step-by-step manner.

I also tried Racket after reading:

https://dustycloud.org/blog/racket-is-an-acceptable-python
https://beautifulracket.com/

But stopped myself for the reason same as above.

-- 
Utkarsh Singh
http://utkarshsingh.xyz