[Python-Dev] basenumber redux

[Fredrik Lundh]

Alex Martelli wrote:

> > As you already suspected, I think a PEP is needed. The intent of
>
> I'll be happy to write it, if it stands any chance.
>
> > basestring was to *only* be used as the base class for *built-in*
> > string types. Clearly what you're proposing is different (Decimal is
> > not built-in -- not yet anyway).
>
> I can't find a PEP describing this restriction of basestring

that's how it's documented, at least:

    http://effbot.org/lib/builtin.basestring

> Implementing different kinds of numbers is more likely than
> implementing different kinds of strings, of course.

indeed.  implementing a new string type is not a trivial task in today's
CPython.

</F>