[Python-Dev] Re: native code compiler? (or, OCaml vs. Python)

[Jeremy Hylton]

>>>>> "BAW" == Barry A Warsaw <barry@python.org> writes:

>>>>> "JH" == Jeremy Hylton <jeremy@zope.com> writes:

  JH> On many occasions I have externally patched a module's namespace
  JH> for debugging.  It's been really convenient to replace some
  JH> function with a wrapper that does some logging or updates a
  JH> table tracking currently used resources.  I've done the same
  JH> with builtin open/file.  As you noted, it seems less useful to
  JH> override other builtins for this purpose.

  BAW> I've done the same, and when I've needed, it's been incredibly
  BAW> handy.  Rare, but useful.  Then again, I've also only done this
  BAW> with open(), so maybe something like an open() hook would
  BAW> suffice.  I can imagine some of the other built-ins /might/ be
  BAW> useful to debuggingly replace, but that's just speculation on
  BAW> my part, and may be yagni.

But it is useful for to replace modules.  For example, if you want to
debug a module that uses the thread module, you can replace it's
"thread" global with something that hooks "start_new_thread."  I think
that pattern is not uncommon.

Jeremy