Re: Question regarding FORMAT with ~:^

[robbins%expert.DEC@decwrl.dec.com]

>> I have a question regarding the correct behavior of FORMAT.  Please
>> open up your CLtL books to page 406 and tell me what the following
>> construct should return:
>> 
>> 	(format nil "~:{~@?~:^...~}" '(("a") ("b")))
>> 
Should return "a" for exactly the reason you gave.  Otherwise "To
terminate the entire iteration process, use ~:^." is meaningless.
 
I agree with those who prefer "a"

By the way, VAX-Lisp returns "a"

-- Rich