[latex3-commits] [git/LaTeX3-latex3-latex2e] clsguide-cleanup: Retain most of 'policy' part (6cb0888d)

[Joseph Wright]

Repository : https://github.com/latex3/latex2e
On branch  : clsguide-cleanup
Link       : https://github.com/latex3/latex2e/commit/6cb0888d13a5db8013a48757f55a01c46c3435e8

>---------------------------------------------------------------

commit 6cb0888d13a5db8013a48757f55a01c46c3435e8
Author: Joseph Wright <joseph.wright at morningstar2.co.uk>
Date:   Sat Jan 14 12:15:43 2023 +0000

    Retain most of 'policy' part


>---------------------------------------------------------------

6cb0888d13a5db8013a48757f55a01c46c3435e8
 base/doc/clsguide.tex | 30 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 30 insertions(+)

diff --git a/base/doc/clsguide.tex b/base/doc/clsguide.tex
index 3014b6cb..96cceae8 100644
--- a/base/doc/clsguide.tex
+++ b/base/doc/clsguide.tex
@@ -131,6 +131,36 @@ For more information on |doc| and |docstrip|, consult the files
 |docstrip.dtx|, |doc.dtx|, and \emph{\LaTeXcomp}.  For examples of its
 use, look at the |.dtx| files.
 
+\subsection{Policy on standard classes}
+
+Many of the problem reports we receive concerning the standard classes
+are not concerned with bugs but are suggesting, more or less politely,
+that the design decisions embodied in them are `not optimal' and
+asking us to modify them.
+
+There are several reasons why we should not make such changes to these
+files.
+\begin{itemize}
+\item
+  However misguided, the current behaviour is clearly what was
+  intended when these classes were designed.
+\item
+  It is not good practice to change such aspects of `standard classes'
+  because many people will be relying on them.
+\end{itemize}
+
+We have therefore decided not to even consider making such
+modifications, nor to spend time justifying that decision.  This does
+not mean that we do not agree that there are many deficiencies in the
+design of these classes, but we have many tasks with higher priority
+than continually explaining why the standard classes for \LaTeX{}
+cannot be changed.
+
+We would, of course, welcome the production of better classes, or of
+packages that can be used to enhance these classes.  So your first
+thought when you consider such a deficiency will, we hope, be ``what
+can I do to improve this?''
+
 \subsection{Command names}
 
 \LaTeX{} has three types of command.