CLHS: Issue IMPORT-SETF-SYMBOL-PACKAGE Writeup

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## Issue IMPORT-SETF-SYMBOL-PACKAGE Writeup

    Issue:        IMPORT-SETF-SYMBOL-PACKAGE
    References:   IMPORT (CLtL p. 186)
    Category:     CLARIFICATION.
    Edit History: Version 2 at committee meeting 15-Mar-87 15:19:23
                  Version 3 by Masinter 15-Mar-87 18:42:13
                  Version 4 29-May-87 by Masinter, remove confusing
                    "to further clarify".
                  Version 5 to X3J13

    Problem Description:

    The action of IMPORT on the home package of a symbol is not described
    well; does it affects the "home package" of a symbol.

    Proposal (IMPORT-SETF-SYMBOL-PACKAGE:YES):

    IMPORT behaves as follows: if any symbol to be imported has no home
    package (SYMBOL-PACKAGE returns NIL), then IMPORT sets the home package
    of the symbol to the specified package being imported to.

    Rationale:

    Current practice:

    Most Common Lisp implementations work this way.

    Adoption Cost:

    small -- it requires a simple rewrite if not done this way.

    Benefits:

    Without this proposal, there is confusion about how Common Lisp works,
    and the risks that some new implementations will not work this way.

    Conversion Cost:

    None, as this describes current practice.

    Discussion:

    The cleanup committee supports this clarification.

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