[Python-Dev] Why did Fredrik leave the party?
Raymond Hettinger
python@rcn.com
Wed, 5 Feb 2003 12:54:14 -0500
> I don't have time to argue the merits of adding new features in the
> first place. But please, let's not be naive about their impact on
> the perceived simplicity of Python. Like it or not, beginners do
> need to know about new things, even if they will not be coding them.
I don't disagree that 2.3 is more complex than 1.5.2.
However, *some* of the changes made python easier to learn
and use. At one time, every beginner had to learn:
* how to override __getitem__ and throw away the index
to simulate iteration
* to add 1L to their factorial function which worked fine
for small parameters but crashed with larger ones
* to clutter code with x=x, y=y, etc to simulate nested scope
* funky code contortions to simulate lockstep iteration
* use of the lineinput module to read files line-by-line
For users of non-ascii charactersets, life has gotten much
easier.
Raymond Hettinger
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