[Python-Dev] PEP, take 2: Exception Reorganization for Python 3.0

[Raymond Hettinger]

The Py3.0 PEPs are a bit disconcerting.  Without 3.0 actively in
development, it is difficult to get the participation, interest, and
seriousness of thought that we apply to the current release.  The PEPs
may have the effect of prematurely finalizing discussions on something
that still has an ethereal if not pie-in-the-sky quality to it.  I would
hate for 3.0 development to start with constraints that got set in stone
before the project became a reality.

With respect to exception re-organization, the conversation has been
thought provoking but a little too much of a design-from-scratch
quality.  Each proposed change needs to be rooted in a specific problem
with the current hierarchy (i.e. what use cases cannot currently be
dealt with under the existing tree).  Setting a high threshold for
change will increase the likelihood that old code can be easily ported
and decrease the likelihood of either throwing away previous good
decisions or adopting new ideas that later prove unworkable.  IOW,
unless the current tree is thought to be really bad, then the new tree
ought to be very close to what we have now.


Raymond



> -----Original Message-----
> From: python-dev-bounces+python=rcn.com at python.org [mailto:python-dev-
> bounces+python=rcn.com at python.org] On Behalf Of Brett Cannon
> Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2005 8:34 PM
> To: Python Dev
> Subject: [Python-Dev] PEP, take 2: Exception Reorganization for Python
3.0
> 
> OK, having taken in all of the suggestions, here is another revision
> round.  I think I still have a place or two I partially ignored people
> just because there was not a severe uproar and I still think the
> original idea is good (renaming RuntimeError, for instance).  I also
> added notes on handling the transition and rejected idea.
> 
> There is now only one open issue, which is whether
> ControlFlowException should be removed.
> 
> And I am still waiting on a PEP number to be able to check this into
> CVS and push me to flesh out the references.  =)