[Python-Dev] Generalised String Coercion

[Terry Reedy]

> PEP: 349
> Title: Generalised String Coercion
...
> Rationale
>    Python has had a Unicode string type for some time now but use of
>    it is not yet widespread.  There is a large amount of Python code
>    that assumes that string data is represented as str instances.
>    The long term plan for Python is to phase out the str type and use
>    unicode for all string data.

This PEP strikes me as premature, as putting the toy wagon before the 
horse, since it is premised on a major change to Python, possibly the most 
disruptive and controversial ever, being a done deal.  However there is, as 
far as I could find no PEP on Making Strings be Unicode, let alone a 
discussed, debated, and finalized PEP on the subject.

>   Clearly, a smooth migration path must be provided.

Of course.  But the path depends on the detailed final target, which has 
not, as far as I know, has been finalized, and certainly not in the needed 
PEP.  Your proposal might be part of the transition section of such a PEP 
or of a separate migration path PEP.

Terry J. Reedy