[plt-scheme] starting DrScheme with no language level chosen

The most frequent bug report we get (by far) is "DrScheme does not
allow dotted pairs" or "DrScheme does not allow set!" followed by
comments along the lines of "how can you call this 'scheme'" etc. The
problem is, of course, that these people do not realize that they need
to pick an appropriate language level. This next release is our new
attempt to combat that problem. I suspect that hiding the message
telling people to choose the language level probably would not work in
our favor in this case.

In partial answer to the use-case you mention below (where someone
changes the language immediately, perhaps without even reading the text
at the bottom), you will note that anything do uses the new language,
except type a program in the REPL but the REPL tells you that you
should click Run to get your newly selected language.

Robby

At Sun, 4 Dec 2005 14:05:06 -0500, "David T. Pierson" wrote:
> When I started my newly installed DrScheme (from PLT Scheme v299.407) it of course
> shows  that I need to select a language.  Would it be better/possible to
> not show the main window until after the language level has been chosen,
> because after I select my language level (Pretty Big Scheme), the
> DrScheme window still says
> 
> Welcome to DrScheme, version 299.407-svn4dec2005.
> Language: No language chosen.
> DrScheme cannot process programs until you choose a programming
> language.  Either select the “Choose Language...” item in the
> “Language” menu, or get guidance.
> 
> After entering an expression it does indicate the language has changed
> so I should click "Run".  But if the main window wasn't shown until
> after the language was selected, there wouldn't be this disconnect
> that occurs with "No language chosen" still being shown after the
> language has been chosen.  
> 
> I realize this is pretty minor but it I think it would improve people's
> first impressions of DrScheme at least a little bit.
> 
> David
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