[Python-Dev] Single- vs. Multi-pass iterability

[Guido van Rossum]

> > Yeah, it's just a pain that it's been deployed in Python 2.2 since
> > last December, and by the time 2.3 is out it will probably have been
> > at least a full year.  Worse, 2.2 is voted to be Python-in-a-Tie,
> > giving that particular idiom a very long lifetime.  I simply don't
> > think we can break compatibility that easily.  Remember the endless
> > threads we've had about the pace of change and stability.  We have to
> > live with warts, alas.  And this is a pretty minor one if you ask me.
> 
> Is this a Pronouncement, or are we still waiting on the results of the
> survey?

That is my current opinion.  I'm waiting for the results of the survey
to see if I'll be swayed (but I don't think it's likely).

> Note that several people have suggested a multi-release
> strategy for fixing this problem; does that make any difference?

Such a big gun for such a minor problem.

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