[Python-Dev] Features for Python 2.0

Guido van Rossum guido@beopen.com
Tue, 25 Jul 2000 10:01:13 -0500


> I didn't suggest we turned augmented assignment 'on' in beta phase, and
> removed it if it turned out too confusing. I was thinking more along the
> lines of the recent 'usability study' of parallel loops. Urging people to
> install the patch just to see how it works, and if it works how they
> expected.
> 
> The point is we can argue all year long about how <this> will be confusing
> because of <that>, and <this> too confusing for users of <that>, and this
> too confusing if you come from <that> language. We probably all are right,
> too ! But in the end we have to decide whether the new functionality is
> worth the extra confusion. And part of that is determining how confusing the
> new syntax and semantics really are, for those used to Python and those new
> to Python.

Oh please.  Augmented assignment is about the most requested feature.
Every other language that Python newbies are likely familiar with has
it in exactly the same form.

--Guido van Rossum (home page: http://dinsdale.python.org/~guido/)