[Python-Dev] PEP 275: Switching on Multiple Values, Rev 1.2

[M.-A. Lemburg]

Aahz Maruch wrote:
> 
> Here's a weird idea:
> 
> Given that the main problem we're trying to solve is the slowness of
> dictionary dispatching to functions, how about adding an "inline"
> keyword or function?

Because AFAIK inlining in Python is just as expensive as doing
a Python function call: you have to merge all constants, locals, 
etc. Depending on the function signature, it may not even be 
possible (e.g. if parameters don't match the inling function's
signature).

> For example (assuming it's a function):
> 
>     def handle_data():
>         self.append(data)
> 
>     dispatch_dict["foo"] = handle_data
> 
>     class C:
>         def read_input(self):
>             data = "foo"
>             value = handle_data
>             inline(dispatch_dict[value])
> 
> Note carefully that handle_data() has no paramaters.  This solution
> would be somewhat more expensive computationally than the switch
> construct, but it ought to be cheaper than doing an actual function
> call.

-- 
Marc-Andre Lemburg
CEO eGenix.com Software GmbH
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