Comment 1:

We can't change the signature due to the API compatibility promise. We
could introduce a second function. Note that the usual use of this is
to write to a bytes.Buffer, and you can poll that after the fact for a
write error by using buf.Write(nil).

Labels changed: added priority-later, go1.1, removed priority-triage.

Status changed to Accepted.

Comment 3:

Let's leave Escape as it is (we have to), but make sure that Encoder.Encode returns I/O
errors. Clients that need to check I/O errors can either write to a bufio.Writer and use
buf.Write(nil) or else use NewEncoder+Encode and check that error result.

Comment 4:

I missed that this was about Escape, not Marshal. 
1. Add tests that Marshal and Encoder.Encode return I/O errors.
2. Add EscapeText that is like Escape but returns error.
3. Make Escape the obvious wrapper - still dropping error.
4. Make Escape description:
// Escape is like EscapeText but omits the error return value.
// It is provided for backwards compatibility with Go 1.0.
// Code targeting Go 1.1 or later should use EscapeText.

Comment 5:

Labels changed: added size-m.

Comment 6:

Labels changed: added suggested.

Comment 7:

Started by osaingre@gmail.com
https://golang.org/cl/7085053/

Status changed to Started.

Comment 8:

This issue was closed by revision afde71c.

Status changed to Fixed.