[Python-Dev] Re: decorators and 2.4

[Phillip J. Eby]

At 11:50 AM 6/28/04 -0500, Jeff Bone wrote:
>I wouldn't keep pushing on this except that I'm entirely puzzled about 
>what these legitimate "runtime" applications might be that aren't already 
>more easily and clearly accomplished with existing mechanisms:
>arguments, lexical scope, and higher-order functions.

I've already said this several times, and PEP 318 says it too: PEP 318 
seeks a *syntax* that allows those "existing mechanisms" to be invoked at 
the *beginning of a function definition*.  That is 
all.  Period.  Finito.  End of story.

So, to talk about applying restrictions to what behavior is allowed for 
decorators, is to completely miss the point of PEP 318.  Please re-read PEP 
318's "Motivation" section.