[OASIS Issue Tracker] Commented: (OFFICE-3435) ODF 1.2 CD05 Part 26.11.13 Incredible HYPERLINK Function

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    [ http://tools.oasis-open.org/issues/browse/OFFICE-3435?page=com.atlassian.jira.plugin.system.issuetabpanels:comment-tabpanel&focusedCommentId=22781#action_22781 ] 

Robert Weir  commented on OFFICE-3435:
--------------------------------------

Backing up a little.  The design of OpenFormula will have some nice attributes if we can avoid functions with side effects, especially ones with formatting side effects.  Except for HYPERLINK(), isn't it true that we have no other spreadsheet function that has this property?  Since we intend (as a design goal at least) for OpenFormula to be usable independent of a spreadsheet application, I think we need to avoid defining functions as having formatting side effects.

So, I'd recommend specifying a very simple definition of HYPERLINK() in Part 2, namely;

Returns its 2nd argument, or if that is omitted returns the 1st argument. 

In terms of formula evaluations and its effect on other calculations, that is all we need to say.  We could add an informative note that says, "Hosting environments may take a call to HYPERLINK as a hint to render the returned value in a way that allows direct navigation to the URL parameter"

In addition, if we believe there is some additional degree of interoperable behavior we can specify, then we could add a statement to Part 1 in the tabe:formula section that explains any side effects caused by the evaluation of HYPERLINK() on cell formatting.  But even this is not really necessary. since it is quite common these days for spreadsheet applications to automatically format text that looks like a URL to a hypelrink, even without a call to HYPERLINK().  And from what I'm reading about some of the weirdness of HYPERLINK() there may not be enough commonality (or value) to these fine details to warrant specification.

So let's not increase the complexity of OpenFormula just to match an inessential weird side effect that occurs for just one function.

Can someone give me an "Amen, brother"?

> ODF 1.2 CD05 Part 2 6.11.13 Incredible HYPERLINK Function 
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
>                 Key: OFFICE-3435
>                 URL: http://tools.oasis-open.org/issues/browse/OFFICE-3435
>             Project: OASIS Open Document Format for Office Applications (OpenDocument) TC
>          Issue Type: Bug
>          Components: Needs Discussion, OpenFormula, Part 2 (Formulas)
>    Affects Versions: ODF 1.2 CD 05
>            Reporter: Dennis Hamilton
>            Assignee: Dennis Hamilton
>             Fix For: ODF 1.2 CD 06
>
>
> ODF 1.2 CD05 Part 2 has an inexplicable definition for the HYPERLINK function.
> The description asserts that there is an effect on a cell.
> The description assrts that there is an effect on a cell even if the function's occurrence is not needed in the evaluation of the formula.
> The description asserts that there is a coordinated effect in how an IRI is composed (or multiples delivered) from individual occurrences of the HYPERLINK function in the same expression.
> The description asserts unjustifiable requirements on the implementation of an evaluator.
> Finally, the examples of this function are used to refine the definition.  Only the simplest examples can be inferred from the definition.
> It appears that incidental consequences of a specific implementation are being appealed to, without concern for what is essential and good enough for an OpenFormula case and no matter what odd behaviors that implementations might have for cases that defy well-definedness.

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