Order in which index entries should be reused is unspecified

[luser]

Originally filed as https://www.w3.org/Bugs/Public/show_bug.cgi?id=26203:

Brady Eidson 2014-06-25 18:55:54 UTC

Order in which index entries should be reused is unspecified.

The description of the index property on Gamepad states:
"if a gamepad is disconnected, and subsequently the same or a different gamepad is then connected, index entries must be reused."

So if I have 2 gamepads, then disconnect index 0, then connect a new gamepad, it should reuse index 0.

If I have 3 gamepads, then disconnect index 1, then connect a new gamepad, it should reuse index 1.

But what if I have 3 gamepads, disconnect index 1, then disconnect index 0.
Then connect a new gamepad.

Which index should it reuse? 0, which is the lowest unused index? Or 1, because it was the first disconnected index?

I would say 0, and suggest the spec state something like:
"if a gamepad is disconnected, and subsequently the same or a different gamepad is then connected, the lowest previously used index must be reused."

[reply] [−] Comment 1 Ted Mielczarek [:ted] 2014-06-25 19:02:28 UTC

Your suggestion is what Firefox implements (and I'm fairly certain Chrome), and is certainly the intended behavior.

[sgraham]

Thanks @beidson, used your proposed language in e7b58b8.