[Python-Dev] PEP 328 and PEP 338, redux

[Guido van Rossum]

On 6/29/06, Giovanni Bajo <rasky at develer.com> wrote:
> Real-world usage case for import __main__? Otherwise, I say screw it :)
[...]
> My personal argument is that if __name__ == '__main__' is totally
> counter-intuitve and unpythonic. It also proves my memory: after many years,
> I still have to think a couple of seconds before rememebering whether I
> should use __file__, __name__ or __main__ and where to put the damn quotes.
> The fact that you're comparing a variable name and a string literal which
> seems very similar (both with the double underscore syntax) is totally
> confusing at best.
>
> Also, try teaching it to a beginner and he will go "huh wtf". To fully
> understand it, you must understand how import exactly works (that is, the
> fact that importing a module equals evaluating all of its statement one by
> one). A function called __main__ which is magically invoked by the python
> itself is much much easier to grasp. A different, clearer spelling for the
> if condition (like: "if not __imported__") would help as well.

You need to watch your attitude, and try to present better arguments
than "I don't like it".

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