buffer package behavior (CVS sources)

Comment:

I was confused by the ilisp behavior for setting the buffer-package.
Let's say I have a buffer with a single (in-package :foo) form.  If
package foo does not exist in the inferior common lisp, ilisp will say
`buffer package not found' and set package to user.  When it said
`buffer package not found', I assumed it was confused about the buffer
contents.

I suggest that it would be better for ilisp to set the buffer package
to foo anyway and let the inferior lisp complain later, if necessary.

Having read the source, it isn't clear to me why the code for setting
buffer-package should be so elaborate.  Why can't we just do what the
buffer says in (in-package) or a -*-...-*- construct?  So what if
package doesn't exist?  How hard is that to fix later, if need be?

I see there was a longish thread on this topic a while back.

-- 
John M. Adams