[Python-Dev] PEP 318: Decorators last before colon

[Skip Montanaro]

    >> > [decorator] 
    >> > def func(arg, arg):

    Barry> I don't like it.  It already has a meaning (albeit fairly
    Barry> useless) and it doesn't seem obvious from just looking at it that
    Barry> the decorator is connected to the following method.  It doesn't
    Barry> taste Pythonic to me.

I'm with Barry.  It seems magic to me.  If I write

    def f():
        "doc"
        [47]
        return 3

today, although a bit weird, [47] doesn't affect the following statement in
any way.  Now the proposal (still, assuming this isn't an elaborate AFJ) on
the table means to change the semantics of an unassigned list expression in
one special case.  I suggest:

    Special cases aren't special enough to break the rules.

though I know someone will follow with

    Although practicality beats purity.

IN this case there are other practical proposals on the table, not the least
of which is the status quo.

Skip