CTAN update: expl3

[CTAN Announcements]

that daemon's trying to grind me down:

> The following information was provided by the package's contributor.
> 
> Name of contribution: expl3
> Author's name: LaTeX3 Project
> Location on CTAN: /macros/latex/contrib/expl3
> Summary description: Packages supporting LaTeX3 programming conventions
> License type: lppl
> 
> Announcement text given by the package's contributor:
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> The expl3 bundle: Low-level LaTeX3 programming conventions
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> The files of the expl3 bundle provide a low-level API for TeX
> programmers with special syntax conventions, completely 
> separating it from document level syntax. Hence, the commands 
> provided are not intended for use at the document level nor for
> use in describing design layouts in document class files.
> 
> This API provides the foundation on which the LaTeX3 kernel 
> and other advanced extensions are built. Special care has been
> taken so that they can be used within a LaTeX2e context as 
> regular packages.
> 
> The TeX and eTeX primitives are all given a new name according
> to these conventions. However, in the main direct use of the 
> primitives is not required or encouraged: the expl3 modules
> define an independent low-level LaTeX3 programming language.
> 
> At present, the expl3 modules are designed to be loaded on top 
> of LaTeX2e:
> 
>   \usepackage{expl3}
>   
> In time, a LaTeX3 format will be produced based on this code.
> This allows the code to be used in LaTeX2e packages now while a
> stand-alone LaTeX3 is developed.
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> This release (SVN 1881)
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> As the existing LaTeX3 code is used by more people and for more
> purposes, some of the original ideas are being re-examined and
> inconsistencies and bugs are being addressed. This release 
> reflects the consolidation process, which is of course ongoing.
> 
> The robustness of functions has been revised, and all functions
> should now be either protected or fully expandable. This is 
> regarded as a general pattern for LaTeX3: any function which is
> not expandable should be defined using \cs_set_protected:Npn, 
> etc.
> 
> On variables, the definitions for \tl_set:Nn and related 
> functions now allow "#" tokens in token lists, for example:
> 
>   \tl_set:Nn \l_my_tl { single~#~token! }
>   
> We hope that this means that token registers (toks) functions
> are needed for the small number of primitive token registers
> and for LaTeX2e work only. Feedback on this change is very 
> welcome.
> 
> The file and keyval modules have been revised to provide 
> only "higher-level" functions for general use. The lower
> level functions are either renamed, removed or not documented,
> and the intention is that everything will be done via the
> documented functions.
> 
> In l3msg, \msg_set:nnnn, etc., now read messages with expl3
> category codes (spaces are ignored). While this requires a 
> little more typing we feel that the consistency it brings is
> valuble.
> 
> One area of active discussion is whether register creation
> should be local or global. This release includes *experimental*
> support for locally-created registers using the 
> \<var>_new_local:N functions. Be warned that this concept is 
> included for discussion and may not be retained in the longer 
> term.
> 
> There are a number of other minor changes, as the team are
> hard at work in a number of areas.
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> The LaTeX3 Project
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> ----------------------------------------------------------------

i have installed the new version and updated the catalogue repository.
thanks for the upload.

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Users may view the package catalogue entry at
>   http://www.tex.ac.uk/tex-archive/help/Catalogue/entries/expl3.html
> or they may browse the package directory at
>   http://www.tex.ac.uk/tex-archive/macros/latex/contrib/expl3

the catalogue entry will change a bit, overnight tonight.

Robin Fairbairns

For the CTAN team