From 76882319a775735901ed4d5e89ad01d6eff91556 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Simon Michael Date: Sat, 1 Jun 2024 09:31:33 -1000 Subject: [PATCH] ;doc: officially deprecate secondary dates, harder --- hledger/hledger.m4.md | 21 ++++++++++++--------- 1 file changed, 12 insertions(+), 9 deletions(-) diff --git a/hledger/hledger.m4.md b/hledger/hledger.m4.md index 853b4aef9..3085bceaf 100644 --- a/hledger/hledger.m4.md +++ b/hledger/hledger.m4.md @@ -2734,16 +2734,19 @@ assumed. When running reports, the primary (left) date is used by default, but with the `--date2` flag (`--aux-date` or`--effective` also work, for Ledger users), the secondary (right) date will be used instead. -The meaning of secondary dates is up to you, but it's best to follow a -consistent rule. Eg "primary = the bank's clearing date, secondary = -date the transaction was initiated, if different". +The meaning of secondary dates is up to you. +Eg it could be "primary = the bank's clearing date, secondary = date the transaction was initiated, if different". -In fact this feature usually adds confusion. -It splits your reporting into two modes, and you have to remember which mode is appropriate for a given report. -Usually only one mode will work with your balance assertions. -It makes your financial data more complicated, less portable, and less clear in an audit. -You should consider it deprecated in hledger, -and use [posting dates](#posting-dates) instead; they are simpler and better. +In fact this feature usually adds confusion: +- You have to remember the primary and secondary dates' meaning, and follow that consistently. +- It splits your bookkeeping into two modes, and you have to remember which mode is appropriate for a given report. +- Usually your balance assertions will work with only one of these modes. +- It makes your financial data more complicated, less portable, and less clear in an audit. +- It interacts with every feature, creating an ongoing cost for implementors. +- It distracts new users and supporters. +- [Posting dates](#posting-dates) are simpler and work better. + +So as of 2024, secondary dates are officially deprecated in hledger; consider using posting dates instead. ### Star comments