[Raymond Hettinger]
While the majority of Python users deem this to be a nice-to-have feature
[Barry Warsaw]
Really? Where's the supporting poll data?
We've run IV polls since this PEP was introduced, and the geometric mean of those shows LXVIII% of Python users strongly in favor (+I), and an additional XXI% not opposed (+roman(0), really -- I'm not sure how to spell zero in Roman numerals, but trust that the new `roman()` builtin will handle it correctly).
In over 10 years of Python programming, I've never once needed a Roman number literal.
Who cares what someone still stuck on Python Challenge #XVII thinks? Input from real Python programmers would be appreciated, though. For example, I'm eager to switch ZODB's object ids to Roman numerals. For example, as Raymond acknowledged, that would make it much easier to produce ZODB PowerPoint slides.
Worse, I don't buy the compatibility argument. I'm as anal as anyone about PEP 8 style, but that's still no reason to break code like
MIX = True
And you care nothing for the possibility that an ancient Roman explorer found frozen in the Arctic may be revived, and find such code incomprehensibly obscure? Python should be for everyone, not just the living. BTW, you might want to reread Raymond's post -- he was having an indecently good time at, well, someone's expense <wink>.