====== Function Y-OR-N-P, YES-OR-NO-P ====== ====Syntax==== * **y-or-n-p** ''&optional'' //control// ''&rest //arguments// → //generalized-boolean// * **yes-or-no-p**{''&optional'' //control// ''&rest //arguments// → //generalized-boolean// ====Arguments and Values==== //control// - a //[[CL:Glossary:format control]]//. //arguments// - //[[CL:Glossary:format arguments]]// for //control//. //generalized-boolean// - a //[[CL:Glossary:generalized boolean]]//. ====Description==== These functions ask a question and parse a response from the user. They return //[[CL:Glossary:true]]// if the answer is affirmative, or //[[CL:Glossary:false]]// if the answer is negative. **y-or-n-p** is for asking the user a question whose answer is either "yes" or "no." It is intended that the reply require the user to answer a yes-or-no question with a single character. **yes-or-no-p** is also for asking the user a question whose answer is either "Yes" or "No." It is intended that the reply require the user to take more action than just a single keystroke, such as typing the full word ''yes'' or ''no'' followed by a newline. **y-or-n-p** types out a message (if supplied), reads an answer in some //[[CL:Glossary:implementation-dependent]]// manner (intended to be short and simple, such as reading a single character such as ''Y'' or ''N''). **yes-or-no-p** types out a message (if supplied), attracts the user's attention (for example, by ringing the terminal's bell), and reads an answer in some //[[CL:Glossary:implementation-dependent]]// manner (intended to be multiple characters, such as ''YES'' or ''NO''). If //format-control// is supplied and not **[[CL:Constant Variables:nil]]**, then a **[[CL:Functions:fresh-line]]** operation is performed; then a message is printed as if //format-control// and //arguments// were given to **[[CL:Functions:format]]**. In any case, **yes-or-no-p** and **y-or-n-p** will provide a prompt such as ""(Y or N)'''' or ""(Yes or No)'''' if appropriate. All input and output are performed using //[[CL:Glossary:query I/O]]//. ====Examples==== <blockquote> (y-or-n-p "(t or nil) given by") <r>(t or nil) given by (Y or N) __Y__ </r> <r>//[[CL:Glossary:true]]// </r> (yes-or-no-p "a ~S message" 'frightening) <r>a FRIGHTENING message (Yes or No) __no__ </r> <r>//[[CL:Glossary:false]]// </r> (y-or-n-p "Produce listing file?") <o>Produce listing file? Please respond with Y or N. __n__ </o> <r>//[[CL:Glossary:false]]//</r> </blockquote> ====Side Effects==== Output to and input from //[[CL:Glossary:query I/O]]// will occur. ====Affected By==== **[[CL:Variables:star-query-io-star|*query-io*]]**. ====Exceptional Situations==== None. ====See Also==== * **[[CL:Functions:format|Function FORMAT]]** ====Notes==== **yes-or-no-p** and **yes-or-no-p** do not add question marks to the end of the prompt string, so any desired question mark or other punctuation should be explicitly included in the text query. \issue{FORMAT-STRING-ARGUMENTS:SPECIFY}