On 12/10/2011 9:42 AM, Oleg Broytman wrote:
On Sat, Dec 10, 2011 at 02:16:21PM +0000, Richard Prosser wrote:
Although I love Python there are some aspects of the language design which are disappointing and which can even lead to problems in some cases. What really is disappointing is the number of people who criticize Python without knowing it.
Another awkward 'feature' is the requirement for a trailing comma in singleton tuples, due I believe to the use of expression parentheses rather than (say) the use of special brackets like chevrons. You do not understand the syntax. Parens do not construct tuples - commas do. So for every tuple - even of length 1 - you must have a comma. The only exception is an empty tuple (of length 0). I don't think we have to go as far as blaming the user. Tuple syntax is a little tricky, people often trip up on (x,) as a single-item tuple. You and I understand why it is, and there isn't a better alternative, but that one-item syntax sticks out when compared to the others: (), (x, y), (x, y, z), etc. This is a true "gotcha" as Richard originally expressed it. Oleg. --Ned.