[VerifiedReports]

Yes, I disagree that the cited behavior is defective. But I respect his pointing-out of the shortcomings and offering other options.

I find myself using the clipboard-erasure "defect" somewhat frequently to cut something to the clipboard, and then undoing the change and using the clipboard contents. And this is specifically useful in a way that merely copying isn't... but at the moment I can't remember why, or whether I use this when programming or working around InDesign's many defects.

[blt]

It's really natural!

- make a bunch of edits

- decide I don't like all of them

- copy the part I want to keep

- undo a bunch

- paste the good part

This is copy, not cut, but it wouldn't work if the clipboard state was part of the undo system.

[Mogzol]

The article isn't arguing that clipboard state should be part of the undo system, it is arguing that cut shouldn't touch clipboard state. In the "Side effects" section they mention if you want the contents to go to the clipboard, then you should use copy instead of cut.

[Dylan16807]

If it doesn't change the state how do I cut and paste between programs? And is 'paste' now using the clipboard half the time but not the other half?

[Mogzol]

Yes exactly, cut (and pasting a cut) is entirely within the same app. If you want to put something in another program you would have to copy.

Not saying I would prefer it, just explaining what the article says.

[VerifiedReports]

Exactly, you've nailed it.