[Chicago] constant length string manipulation

[Martin Maney]

On Sun, Dec 02, 2007 at 09:02:52AM -0800, Cosmin Stejerean wrote:
> This is turning into an exercise of writing obfuscated code.

Right, but notice that the reasons are different.  In Perl (1),
obscurity is easy and natural, so the challenge is to be briefer; in
Python, achieving obscurity is hard enough to be the goal itself.  :)

(1) or any of a number of other languages, of course

-- 
He that questioneth much shall learn much, and content much; but
especially if he apply his questions to the skill of the persons whom
he asketh; for he shall give them the occasion to please themselves
in speaking, and himself shall continually gather knowledge.  But let
his questions not be troublesome, for that is fit for a poser; and
let him be sure to leave other men their turns to speak.  - Francis Bacon