[Python-Dev] conditional expressions?

[Tim Peters]

[Daniel Mahler]
> Has an if(cond,exp1,exp2) syntax been considered?

Not seriously, no.  That looks like a function call, and function arguments
are always evaluated in Python, and that works against seeing this as a
short-circuiting construct:

    q = if y then x/y else copysign(INFINITY, x)

> It would have the advantage that existing
> syntax sensitive editors would handle without change.

I don't see any problem there (and am responsible for two context sensitive
Python edit gimmicks, and used to be responsible for a third -- all I expect
to need to do is get "then" at token level colored as keyword).

> I think conditional exprs badly needed,
> but the if/then/else syntax seems too verbose for use inside
> expressions.

Good -- then you won't be tempted to abuse it <0.5 wink>.

best-in-small-doses-ly y'rs  - tim