[Python-3000] More PEP 3101 changes incoming

[Ron Adam]

Walter Dörwald wrote:

>> Lets take apart the alternative syntax.
>>
>>      f<+15.2
>>
>>        f   fixed point     # of decimals is specified
>>
>>        <   align left      (field attribute)
>>
>>        +   sign            (number attribute)
>>
>>        15  width           (field attribute)
>>
>>        .2  decimals        (number attribute)
> 
> Then why not have something more readable like
> 
>    al;s+;w15;d2
> 
> This is longer that <+15.2, but IMHO much more readable, because it's 
> clear where each specifier ends and begins.
> 
> Servus,
>    Walter

Well depending on what its for that might very well be appropriate, It's 
order independent, and has other benefits, but it' probably the other 
extreme in the case of string formatting.

It's been expressed here quite a few times that compactness is also 
desirable.  By dividing it into two terms, you still get the compactness in 
the most common cases and you get an easier to understand and read terms in 
the more complex cases.



Or format fields dynamically by inserting components, it makes things a bit 
easier.

BTW, the order of the grouping is flexible...

       value_spec = "f.2"
       "{0:{1},^30}".format(value, value_spec)

Or...

      field_spec = "^30"
      "{0:f.2,{1}}".format(value, field_spec)


So it breaks it up into logical parts as well.


Cheers,
    Ron