"Tab" isn't perhaps the best spec language?

[slightlyoff]

While I understand the goal of using tab in the name of the API vs. document, it might be worth considering some more generalised alternatives that can work in non-tab scenarios (e.g. PWAs). A few that come to mind:

• preferCurrentContext
• preferCurrentWindow
• preferCurrentFrame (perhaps most accurate)

Thoughts?

[eladalon1983]

Agreed that tab has some problems. The issue has come up a few times, but a better alternative has not yet been found. I'm happy to continue the search and try to find something everybody is happy with.

• preferCurrentWindow - I'm concerned about the ambiguity - unclear to Web-developers whether it refers to window or to the browser window in which the tab is loaded.
• preferCurrentFrame - I agree with your assessment of the accuracy. I'm concerned it would become even more misleading when/if additional APIs are introduced, some of which are already under discussion (iframe.getViewportMedia and element-level capture).
• preferCurrentContext - might be unclear how narrowly/widely "context" is meant - the browsing context or the current iframe. Or wdyt?
• preferCurrentBrowsingContext - my own attempt to clarify your suggestion of preferCurrentContext. But the previous API shape, getCurrentBrowsingContextMedia(), raised a lot of complaints over the length of the name, so we should probably avoid this.

I think preferCurrentTab is the lesser evil here. The name has passed muster for @foolip, @alvestrand, @guidou and @yoavweiss. Wdyt? Can you think of something better that could reach similar consensus? If so, I'd be happy to adopt.

[eladalon1983]

I've also consulted @alvestrand today and my understanding is that he'd be OK with either preferCurrentTab or preferCurrentBrowsingContext. Unless you feel strongly against "tab," I'd like to proceed with this name (preferCurrentTab).

[eladalon1983]

@slightlyoff, I'm thinking of closing this issue. This knob shipped in m94 and the benefits of renaming do not seem to merit the work it would take. (Also, we don't yet have a name everyone likes better than preferCurrentTab.) Wdyt?