[Python-Dev] Classes that claim to be defined in __builtin__ but aren't

[Guido van Rossum]

> The real question seems to be whether __builtin__ should contain *all*
> built-in types, including internal ones, or only those intended for
> public use. Do you have an opinion about that, Guido?
> 
> I suppose it's reasonable to put them all in __builtin__, since as you
> say, they can be useful for type checking even if you can't or rarely
> want to instantiate them yourself.

That's where I stand, at about +0.5.  I don't think it's super
important that all builtins be particularly well-known or useful --
it's easy enough to have a section in the documentation for
"lesser-known builtins".

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