[spideymans]

>Why completely break the existing convention?

Because cutting-and-pasting is a destructive action that can lead to data loss.

Under the conventional implementation of cut-and-paste, it's easy for a user to inadvertently cut-and-paste a file, when they meant to copy-and-paste said file, either through a misclick or, by hitting the wrong keyboard combination. This is because:

1. The menu option for cut is right above the menu option for copy

2. The keyboard shortcut for cut (command-c) is just one key away from the keyboard shortcut for copy (command-c) on a QWERTY keyboard

Cutting and pasting deletes the file from its original directory, however under a traditional cut-and-paste operation, the system does not ask for confirmation. Consequently, if a user mistakenly cuts a file or directory without immediately noticing their mistake, their files could be rendered unrecoverable (and keep in mind that there's no particular reason why they would notice... the UI provides no special indication when a file or directory is deleted via cut-and-paste). This is arguably a very bad user experience.

The equivalent action to cutting-and-pasting on OS X is copying, pasting and then deleting the original file. By adding in this extra step, the UI has forced users to acknowledge that their action is potentially destructive and unrecoverable.

Also notice that the command-x shortcut in Finder copies a file. It does not cut the file. Again, this protects the user from inadvertent data loss if they use the wrong keyboard shortcut.

It's a rather unusual move Apple has made here by breaking convention, but I think they've made a wise wager that users would rather be annoyed by a small extra step, then be faced with the loss of important data.

Thinking about this design choice, I now wonder how many times I've had files mysteriously go missing on Windows and other operating systems simply because I used CTRL+X when I meant to use CTRL+C

[yyyk]

>Thinking about this design choice, I now wonder how many times I've had files mysteriously go missing on Windows and other operating systems simply because I used CTRL+X when I meant to use CTRL+C

Zero. If one CTRL+Xs accidentally, Windows and most Linux Desktop pickers change the highlight colour before the copy. At worst you can CTRL+Z it after or copy it back. It's not a 'destructive' operation since you always have one copy of the file.

It's a typical case of Apple deciding users are stupid and therefore should be limited, combined with the typical 'just everything Apple does' syndrome.

[oneeyedpigeon]

I take your point. I can't be certain why, because it's been so long since I used Windows, but I never found this to be a problem in practice — maybe I was just lucky. I guess you could make the same argument about cut in any context, except:

a) you could argue that cutting text isn't as destructive as deleting a file, although they could be one and the same if you happen to have an entire file's text selected

b) mechanisms for undo'ing text operations tend to be more sophisticated than undo'ing filesystem operations; I might argue that's a separate problem to be resolved

I'd be perfectly happy if this were an option, buried in some obscure preference panel somewhere, labelled "yes, I really want to shoot myself in the foot" but, as it stands, I don't even get that.

[spideymans]

>I can't be certain why, because it's been so long since I used Windows, but I never found this to be a problem in practice

I would have said the same thing. But then again, I'm sure there's been times where files have gone "missing" on my computer. Did I misplace them? Accidentally deleted them? Accidentally cut-and-paste? Who knows.

>I'd be perfectly happy if this were an option, buried in some obscure preference panel somewhere, labelled "yes, I really want to shoot myself in the foot" but, as it stands, I don't even get that.

Yeah, no argument from me there. I'd appreciate an option buried in the OS X CLI at a bare minimum.

[chrisseaton]

> Because cutting-and-pasting is a destructive action that can lead to data loss.

Isn't this the same for all cut-and-paste? It's expected.

What's special about files that mean they need special protection?

Pop them in the Bin until they're pasted if you want.

It's not as unfathomable as you make out.

[spideymans]

If I accidentally cut-and-paste from a text document, the absolute worst case scenario is that I lose the contents of the text in that document. It's a bad situation, but the damage is limited and contained.

If I accidentally cut-and-paste a file or directory, the damage could be immense. Years worth of important documents, records, photos, etc... could be gone, because the user's finger slipped and pressed CTRL+X, rather than CTRL+C.

Whether or not the operating system should be protecting users in this manner is fully debatable and a matter of opinion, but Apple's approach here is definitely safer (at the cost of being a bit more annoying)

[chrisseaton]

Doesn't putting it in the Bin until it's pasted fix this?

And you always have undo, just as with text.