CTAN update: expl3

[CTAN Announcements]

the daemon is surely getting tired, after recent excessive exercise, but
neverthe less he says:

> The following information was provided by the package's contributor.
> 
> Name of contribution: expl3
> Author's name: LaTeX project
> Author's email: joseph.wright at morningstar2.co.uk
> Location on CTAN: /macros/latex/contrib/expl3
> Summary description: Packages showing a proposed LaTeX3 programming convention
> License type: lppl
> 
> Announcement text given by the package's contributor:
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> The expl3 bundle: low-level LaTeX3 coding
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> 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 1543)
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> The major change from the last snapshot (SVN 1509) is changes
> to l3keys which reflect discussion about both expl3 and wider
> LaTeX3 concepts.
> 
> Changes to l3keys:
> - Removed .code:Nn, .code:Nx, .function:N, .initial:n, 
>   .initial:V, .set:N properties
> - New variable-setting properties .dim_(g)set:N, .int_(g)set:N,
>   .skip_(g)set:N, .tl_(g)set:N, .tl_(g)set_x:N
> - Choice generating system now uses two properties 
>   .choice_code:n and .generate_choices:n
>   
> The team hope that these changes now make l3keys fully usable
> across LaTeX3 and other projects.
> 
> The \keys_variable_get_scope:N and \keys_variable_get_type:N
> functions have been moved to \prg_, to reflect their generic
> nature.
> 
> A few new functions have been added, mainly to support changes 
> in the xpackages.
>   
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
> The LaTeX3 Project
> ----------------------------------------------------------------

i've installed the new version and updated the catalogue repository.
the catalogue update will be left to the overnight run to regenerate.

> 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

Robin Fairbairns

For the CTAN team