
On 5/11/06, Winston Wolff <winstonw@stratolab.com> wrote:
I'm considering a proposal for Python 3000 and want to get some other opinions. I propose adding an alternative syntax for assigning a value to a variable so that the Python statement: a = 1 could also be written: a := 1 The reason is to help students who are familiar with the Algebraic meaning of "a = 1" (a is always equal to one) and get confused when the Python meaning of "a = 1" (put the value of one into the variable a).
I teach middle and high-school students who are learning Algebra at the same time as Python, and it is very confusing to them when the same symbols mean two subtly different things. I would propose that the second syntax (a := 1), be available so that I could introduce that in the first semester course. Later, once they understood the meaning of "a := 1", they could switch the shorter syntax "a = 1".
Any opinions?
Since you ask!... I do not like it. In Python you can do things like a += 1 a -= 1 a *= 1 a /= 1 # :-) Students will be familiar with ":" meaning div
-Winston
______________________________________________________ winston wolff - (646) 827-2242 - http://www.stratolab.com learning by creating - video game courses for kids in new york
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