> Does this have a resolution yet?
>
> Why not add to lambda/kw a special form called `(default? <keyword>)' so
> that we can write:
>
> (lambda/kw (file (zip save))
>    (let ((save (or (default? save) save)))
>      ...))
>
> The special form `(default? <keyword>)' evaluates to `#t' if the keyword
> argument was not given.  The keyword argument itself evaluates to `#f'
> if not given.

My verdict is: The feature is okay, but too advanced for 177.

As the author of 177, I'd like to make a decision in this case to omit
it from the SRFI. I've used keyword args extensively in Common Lisp, and
keyword-like optional arguments extensively in Emacs Lisp, and came to
the conclusion after many years that default values other than #f are
not useful in practice, cause unnecessary confusion for callers, and add
unnecessary code to the keyword-lambda definition.

I cannot remember a single instance where a non-nil default would have
been more useful than the simplicity afforded by all-nil defaults. You
can invert the sense of a boolean flag so that the #f default makes
sense. Being able to assume that the default is always #f is a relief on
programmers' overworked brains, especially when working with unfamiliar
code in a large system. Emacs is a wonderful proving ground in this
sense - it's so big that you are constantly using features you don't
fully understand. Any reasonable way to make things simpler is good.

That being said, your proposal of a (default? ...) primitive is also
reasonable, and it should be possible to implement it so it's fully
backward-compatible with old keyword systems, which is great.

However, the simplicity of 177 is backed by a lot of experience using
more complex lambda-list syntax. I'd encourage anyone who wants more
features to try using those features in a program that is so large you
cannot learn or remember the details of the procedures you are calling.
You'll come to appreciate the simplicity of always being able to rely on
#f :) Abstraction is about service, and service is about removing
unnecessary concerns.