[Python-Dev] Why not using the hash when comparing strings?

[Hrvoje Niksic]

On 10/19/2012 03:22 AM, Benjamin Peterson wrote:
> It would be interesting to see how common it is for strings which have
> their hash computed to be compared.

Since all identifier-like strings mentioned in Python are interned, and 
therefore have had their hash computed, I would imagine comparing them 
to be fairly common. After all, strings are often used as makeshift 
enums in Python.

On the flip side, those strings are typically small, so a measurable 
overall speed improvement brought by such a change seems unlikely.