[Python-Dev] bool conversion wart?

[Stephen J. Turnbull]

Neal Becker writes:

 > Well consider this:
 > >>>str (4)
 > '4'
 > >>>int(str (4))
 > 4
 > >>>str (False)
 > 'False'
 > 
 > >>>bool(str(False))
 > True
 > 
 > Doesn't this seem a bit inconsisent?

The former case is a *conversion* from an expression that *does not*
have an interpretation in a numerical context to an integer.

The latter case is a *canonicalization* from an expression that *does*
have an interpretation in a boolean context to the equivalent boolean
constant.

I don't have a problem with that.  YMMV.