merged branch igorw/provider-param-convention (PR #622)

This PR was merged into the master branch.

Commits
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3eaa38cf Clarify provider conventions for params

Discussion
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Clarify provider conventions for params

The current conventions for parameters is outdated. At some point we
decided that providers can define default values for params. Therefore
parameters must be registered *after* the extension is registered.

Related commit: 9766faf0

doc/providers.rst

@@ -37,9 +37,13 @@ with providers. Just keep to these rules:
 * Overriding existing services must occur **after** the provider is
   registered.
 
-  *Reason: If the services already exist, the provider will overwrite it.*
+  *Reason: If the service already exists, the provider will overwrite it.*
 
-* You can set parameters any time before the service is accessed.
+* You can set parameters any time **after** the provider is registered, but
+  **before** the service is accessed.
+
+  *Reason: Providers can set default values for parameters. Just like with
+  services, the provider will overwrite existing values.*
 
 Make sure to stick to this behavior when creating your own providers.