[Python-Dev] redux: fractional seconds in strptime

[Brett C.]

Skip Montanaro wrote:
>     Brett> The problem I have always had with this proposal is that the
>     Brett> value is worthless, time tuples do not have a slot for fractional
>     Brett> seconds.  Yes, it could possibly be changed to return a float for
>     Brett> seconds, but that could possibly break things.
> 
> Actually, time.strptime() returns a struct_time object.  Would it be
> possible to extend %S to parse floats then add a microseconds (or whatever)
> field to struct_time objects that is available by attribute only?  In Py3k
> it could worm its way into the tuple representation somehow (either as a new
> field or by returning seconds as a float).
> 

Right, it's a struct_time object; just force of habit to call it a time tuple.

And I technically don't see why a fractional second attribute could not be 
added that is not represented in the tuple.  But I personally would like to see 
struct_tm eliminated in Py3k and replaced with datetime usage.  My wish is to 
have the 'time' module stripped down to only the bare essentials that just 
don't fit in datetime and push everyone to use datetime for most things.

>     Brett> My vote is that if something is added it be like %N but without
>     Brett> the optional optional digit count.  This allows any separator to
>     Brett> be used while still consuming the digits.  It also doesn't
>     Brett> suddenly add optional args which are not supported for any other
>     Brett> directive.
> 
> I realize the %4N notation is distasteful, but without it I think you will
> have trouble parsing something like
> 
>     13:02:00.704
> 
> What would be the format string?  %H:%M:%S.%N would be incorrect.

Why is that incorrect?

-Brett