[Python-ideas] dict.fromkeys() better as dict().setkeys() ? (and other suggestions)

[Ron Adam]

Ron Adam wrote:
> Josiah Carlson wrote:
>> Ron Adam <rrr at ronadam.com> wrote:
>>> There are enough correct uses of it in the wild to keep the behavior, but 
>>> it can be done in a better way.
>>>
>>> I feel it really should be called set_keys and implemented as a method that 
>>> operates on the current dictionary instead of being a constructor for a new 
>>> dictionary.  That will allow you to add keys with a default value to an 
>>> already existing dictionary, or to create a new one with a dictionary 
>>> constructor.
>>>
>>>       dict().set_keys(s, v=None)    # The current fromkeys behavior.
>> The problem with that is that when a method mutates an object, it
>> shouldn't return the object.  Your new .set_keys() method violates this
>> behavior that is used in lists, sets, dicts, deques, arrays, etc.
> 
> Huh?  Where does it return an object?


Whoops,  Ok I see it now.   So the example should be...

      d = dict()
      d.set_keys(s, v=none)


I think that would work fine.



>> I don't have time to comment on the rest at the moment, will do when I
>> get a chance.
>>
>>  - Josiah
> 
> Ok  :-)
> 
> Ron
> 
> 
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