[Python-Dev] Maintenance burden of str.swapcase

[Steven D'Aprano]

Raymond Hettinger wrote:
> On Sep 6, 2011, at 1:36 PM, Martin v. Löwis wrote:
> 
>> I think this is what people underestimate. I can't name
>> applications either - but that doesn't mean they don't exist.
> 
> Google code search is pretty good indicator that this method
> has near zero uptake.   If it dies, I don't think anyone will cry.

Near-zero is not zero, and Terry has already shown some examples of code 
which use, or misuse, swapcase.

In any case (pun intended *wink*) this was discussed in December and 
Guido expressed little enthusiasm for the idea:

http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-dev/2010-December/106650.html

I can't exactly defend the existence of swapcase, it does seem to be a 
fairly specialised function. But given that it exists, I'm -0.5 on 
removal on the basis of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".



-- 
Steven