On Thursday 12 June 2003 04:51 pm, Richard A. O'Keefe wrote:
> I've got used to saying "Smalltalk do this" "Smalltalk do that".
> So a cleaned SystemDictionary is going to trip me up.
>
> This cleanup actually has the potential to *reduce* the amount of
> code in the system without reducing power or convenience, so I
> certainly don't want to argue against it.
>
> But when the change trips me up, I'd like a bit of help getting
> on my feet again.
>
> Specifically, I'd like
>  - a method category 'transition-help' in SystemDictionary
>  - a class method #help3p6 in that category
>  - the method body to be just a comment containing pairs of lines
>      Smalltalk <message 1>
>      is now (<OtherClass> <message 2>).
>    e.g.,
>     "Smalltalk condenseChanges
>      is now (SourceManager condenseChanges).
>      Smalltalk sourcesName
>      is now (SourceManager sourcesName).
>      Smalltalk bytesLeft
>      is now (MemoryManager bytesLeft).
>      ..."
>
> I want this stuff where the browser can find it.
> For example, suppose I type
>     Smalltalk bytesLeft
> in a workspace, and get a MNU.  Then I can ask for "sources with
> it", and be pointed right to the place I want.
> The format of the comment is quite deliberate.
> The new form of the message is in parentheses so that it can easily
> be selected.  So two more clicks and I've actually done what I set
> out to do.

Even easier: we could have a preference for reminding us of changed 
methods. This could be tied into the default MNU handler while in 
development mode. If you send a (message -> receiver class) that's in 
the table of recently changed methods, you can get instant help.

-- 
Ned Konz
http://bike-nomad.com
GPG key ID: BEEA7EFE