[Python-Dev] Reasons behind misleading TypeError message when passing the wrong number of arguments to a method

[John Arbash Meinel]

Giampaolo Rodolà wrote:
>>>> class A:
> ...     def echo(self, x):
> ...             return x
> ...
>>>> a = A()
>>>> a.echo()
> Traceback (most recent call last):
>   File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
> TypeError: echo() takes exactly 2 arguments (1 given)
> 
> I bet my last 2 cents this has already been raised in past but I want
> to give it a try and revamp the subject anyway.
> Is there a reason why the error shouldn't be adjusted to state that
> *1* argument is actually required instead of 2?
> 

Because you wouldn't want to have

A.echo()

Say that it takes 1 argument and (-1 given) ?

John
=:->