[Python-Dev] bytes.from_hex() [Was: PEP 332 revival in coordination with pep 349?]

["Martin v. Löwis"]

Ian Bicking wrote:
> Maybe it isn't worse, but the real alternative is:
> 
>   import zlib
>   import base64
> 
>   base64.b64encode(zlib.compress(s))
> 
> Encodings cover up eclectic interfaces, where those interfaces fit a
> basic pattern -- data in, data out.

So should I write

3.1415.encode("sin")

or would that be

3.1415.decode("sin")

What about

"http://www.python.org".decode("URL")

It's "data in, data out", after all. Who needs functions?

Regards,
Martin