[Python-Dev] PEP 318 - posting draft

[Guido van Rossum]

>     def func [dec1, dec2, ...] (arg1, arg2, ...):
>         pass
> 
> Quixote's Page Template Language uses this form, but only supports a
> single decorator chosen from a restricted set.  For short lists it
> works okay, but for long list it separates the argument list from the
> function name.

OTOH, for long argument lists, the "preferred" form has the reverse
problem: the decorators are separated from the function name by the
long argument list.

The question then becomes, what is more likely: long argument lists or
long lists of decorators?  I *know* that (at least in certain code
bases :) long argument lists are common.  Will long lists of
decorators ever become popular?  I think we'll have to look for
languages that already have decorators (especially C#) for what the
future might give.  I'll be talking to folks at PyCon about this.

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