[Python-Dev] n.numbits: method or property?

[Mike Klaas]

On 11-Nov-08, at 4:16 PM, Mark Dickinson wrote:
>
> More generally, what are the guidelines for determining
> when it's appropriate to make something a property rather
> than a method?

Both are awkward on numeric types in python, necessitating brackets or  
a space before the dot:

(1).__doc__
1 .__doc__

I'd suggest a third alternative, which is a standalone function in math:

from math import numbits:
numbits(1)

-Mike