Re: True inconsistency in Python

From: Terry Reedy (tjreedy_at_udel.edu)
Date: 11/19/03 

Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 19:50:49 -0500

"Ron Adam" <radam2@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message
news:7rhjrvgefdpfkm15divsor9e3iktl0falh@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 23:40:52 -0500, "Terry Reedy" <tjreedy@udel.edu>
> wrote:
>
> >In 2.2.2+, you only need to not change them and to not work with a
> >psycopath.
>
> Many people are starting to learn programming with python as their
> first computer language. I wouldn't refer to them as a psychopath.

Neither would I. I was thinking of the following scenario. You are
part of a programming group. You write module ronad, to be imported
by danor written by 'Dan Oreo'. Psycho writes unrelated module
'sneaky' with

import ronad
ronad.True, ronad.False = False, True

perhaps disguised. You get blamed for the 'bug' that you did not
write and cannot find.

[Prohibiting this scenario (import module and mask builtins there in)
has been suggested. I believe it was once approved and is still under
consideration but the change has the problem that there seem to be
legitimate uses.]

> They may one day write programs that save peoples lives. They have
to
> start someplace. Many people using python will not be professional
> programmers but enthusiast and hobbiests, or web page programmers,
> or ..... in other words, a very large and diverse group.

People often post code redefining builtings like file and list, and
get reminders not to do so. I cannot remember anyone accidentally
overwriting True or False.

...
> I'm not sure what your point is here, but using PyChecker sounds
like
> a good suggestion.

That suggestion was my final point. Ignore the warm-up pitch.

Terry J. Reedy

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