[Python-Dev] str with base

[Alex Martelli]

Is it finally time in Python 2.5 to allow the "obvious" use of, say,  
str(5,2) to give '101', just the converse of the way int('101',1)  
gives 5?  I'm not sure why str has never allowed this obvious use --  
any bright beginner assumes it's there and it's awkward to explain  
why it's not!-).  I'll be happy to propose a patch if the BDFL  
blesses this, but I don't even think it's worth a PEP... it's an  
inexplicable though long-standing omission (given the argumentative  
nature of this crowd I know I'll get pushback, but I still hope the  
BDFL can Pronounce about it anyway;-).


Alex