[Python-Dev] Re: [Python-checkins] CVS: python/dist/src/Lib compilerlike.py,NONE,1.1

[Jeremy Hylton]

>>>>> "ESR" == Eric S Raymond <esr@users.sourceforge.net> writes:

  ESR> --- NEW FILE: compilerlike.py ---
  ESR> """ compilerlike -- framework code for building compiler-like
  ESR> programs.

  ESR> There is a common `compiler-like' pattern in Unix scripts which
  ESR> is useful for translation utilities of all sorts.  A program
  ESR> following this pattern behaves as a filter when no argument
  ESR> files are specified on the command line, but otherwise
  ESR> transforms each file individually into a corresponding output
  ESR> file.

I think the name of this module is confusing as best.  It doesn't have
anything to do with compilation -- and the pattern you describe
doesn't apply to compilers I'm familiar with (e.g. gcc).  This library
may be useful, but it needs a better name and short description to
help people understand its use.

I think there was a suggestion to integrate this code with fileinput,
which seems to make sense.  fileinput seems to describe what this
module does -- deal with files as input.

Jeremy