Re: Still confused about context vs. new

[lily-user]

>> In the meantime, the distinction is explained in NR 5.1.2 Creating
>> contexts, although this section has not yet been reviewed in GDP so
>> maybe it could be improved.  Let me know to what extent it helps
>> you.  In any case I'll bear your comments in mind when I get to
>> that section.
Patrick> Yes, I had read that.  In fact, I've read all of the
Patrick> documentation.  Maybe it's just one of those things where you
Patrick> beat your face on it until you get it, and then review the
Patrick> documentation and can no longer figure out why it wasn't
Patrick> clear:(

I personally have *never* needed to use \new.  

\context implicitly instantiates a new context if the
one named doesn't yet exist, so \new is redundant, *except* where you
want multiple distinct contexts with the same name, or you're using
unnamed contexts (which, internally, is the same thing)

Distinct objects should (as a general rule) be named distinctly, so
that leaves the only place to use \new: when you want unnamed contexts.

Compare:

        \score {
                {
                \context Staff \relative c' { a b c }
                \context Staff \relative c' { a b c }
                }
        }

with

        \score {
                {
                \context Staff \relative c' { a b c }
                \new Staff \relative c' { a b c }
                }
        }
and

        \score {
                {
                \context Staff = "A" \relative c' { a b c }
                \context Staff = "B" \relative c' { a b c }
                }
        }

--
Dr Peter Chubb  http://www.gelato.unsw.edu.au  peterc AT gelato.unsw.edu.au
http://www.ertos.nicta.com.au           ERTOS within National ICT Australia