[Python-Dev] Significance of informational PEPs

[Guido van Rossum]

> If people disagree about this view of informational PEPs as purely
> advisory, please speak up now so we can discuss this issue.

I think *some* informational PEPs (e.g. PEP 1 itself :-) are actually
more like standards, while others are, indeed, informational.  Maybe
we need separate categories?  Or simply call the standard ones
standard, even if they don't define some Python feature?

> (This came up because of the recently-posted PEP 272.  Some people on
> the python-crypto list don't like PEP 272's interface at all, and
> other people think the whole idea of a standard API for block
> encryption is useless.  It seems impossible to come to consensus, so I
> wanted to underscore that informational PEPs don't bind people to the
> interfaces they describe.)

I certainly prefer that over trying to lobby me for a
pronouncement. :-)

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