MAKE MODULE! accepts integer/decimal to make empty module with spec = none

[rebolbot]

Submitted by: meijeru

Like for many other target types, MAKE accepts a numerical second argument for MODULE! to make a module with an empty body. However, the resulting spec is NONE, which makes the module quasi unusable (import requires that spec/name is set).

>> m: make module! 10
>> body-of m
== []
>> spec-of m
== none

^{CC - Data [ Version: alpha 97 Type: Issue Platform: All Category: Datatype Reproduce: Always Fixed-in:none ]}

[rebolbot]

Submitted by: BrianH

Actually, the resulting module is useless because it doesn't do anything. Unnamed modules are treated as mixins, so not having a name doesn't make a module inherently useless.

[rebolbot]

Submitted by: meijeru

I accept that a spec of NONE does not need to be useless. But -- as you rightly point out -- an empty module body is truly useless. It would not be so if one could append to a module after it has first been defined. But I seem to recall that you took a dim view of that (comments to #896).

In short: why allow an integer second argument to MAKE MODULE! ?

[rebolbot]

Submitted by: Carl

Let's hear both sides: why allow modules to extend? What use is it? And... Why not allow extend? What's the harm?

[rebolbot]

Submitted by: BrianH

Why not:

- It messes with the ability for module code to find out about their module through reflection on 'self. If the module can be extended from the outside, you won't be able to rely on self being the context in which your code was bound; it could be a little different. This can include code injection tricks (that Meijeru has demonstrated) if you are writing R2-style code; R3-style should be fine.

What use is it:

- It's a place to put your stuff, instead of in an object inside the module. Doesn't seem like a good practice though.

Why allow it:

- Because until the PROTECT bugs are fixed and enhancements implemented, we have no choice: You can do it anyways with the object returned by BIND?. See #1555 for details.
- I'm open to more suggestions here...