[luatex] Solving the \jobname issue: a new callback? (with patch)

[Taco Hoekwater]

On 05/24/11 23:42, Manuel Pégourié-Gonnard wrote:
> 
> I'd like to propose a solution more in line with the LuaTeX spirit as I
> understand it (provide tools, not solutions): a new callback 'process_jobname'
> called when \jobname is expanded in TeX or tex.jobname consulted in Lua.

Neat idea, and I like that much better than forcing some change to the
\jobname primitive code itself.

> At first glance, it may look more reasonable for the callback to be executed
> when the jobname is set rather than consulted, but since callbacks are not saved
> in the format and \jobname is generally set before \everyjob is called, this
> wouldn't be practical. 

Agreed.

> Also, the ability to change the callback during a TeX run
> provides more flexibility when mixing macros that prefer their jobname processed
> one way or another.

There is a potential there for confusion, but I agree that it could be
useful in some situations.

> I admit I can see no other use for this callback than autoquoting \jobname (the
> way other engines do) for compatibility with macros that can't be changed easily
> to use the new braced syntax of \input and \openout. OTOH, it's a 20-line patch
> and it provides a general tool that can be used to solve the problem.
> 
> The attached patch applies to branch 0.70.x in its current state (r4281). Please
> consider including it.

I'll apply the patch to trunk (at least for now). It comes too late for
texlive 2011 anyway.

Best wishes,
Taco