[Python-Dev] PEP 3144 review.

[Paul Moore]

2009/9/17 Peter Moody <peter at hda3.com>:
> On Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 8:21 PM, Andrew McNamara
> <andrewm at object-craft.com.au> wrote:
>>>> I think we're in a painful middle ground now - we should either go back
>>>> to the idea of a single class (per protocol), or make the distinctions
>>>> clear (networks are containers and addresses are singletons).
>>>>
>>>> Personally, I think I would be happy with a single class (but I suspect
>>>> that's just my laziness speaking). However, I think the structure and
>>>> discipline of three classes (per protocol) may actually make the concepts
>>>> easier to understand for non-experts.
>>>
>>>I think this is where we disagree. I don't think the added complexity
>>>does make it any easier to understand.
>>
>> I argue that we're not actually adding any complexity: yes, we add
>> a class (per protocol), but we then merely relocate functionality to
>> clarify the intended use of the classes.
>
> And I argue the moving this functionality to new classes (and adding
> new restrictions to existing classes) doesn't buy anything in the way
> of overall functionality of the module or a developer's ability to
> comprehend intended uses.

For what it's worth, Andrew's making the distinction clatified things
for *me*. Whether I am the target audience for the module (I'm not a
network expert, but on the odd occasion I need to manipulate IP
addresses in a program, and if the standard library had a module for
doing so, I'd reach for it) is up to someone else to decide, but if I
am, then my vote is for 3 classes based on the explanations I've seen
so far.

I don't see what having fewer classes buys me as the end user.

Paul.