[Python-ideas] Proposal to add new built-in struct (was: Add kwargs to built-in function object)

[Leif Walsh]

On Thu, 22 May 2008, Brandon Mintern wrote:
> The implementation:
>
> class struct (object):
>
>     <things here>
>
>     def __setattr__ (self, name, value):
>         """
>         I think it makes the most sense for a struct to have immutable
>         fields. As soon as you start to add more fields, you should be
>         using something other than a struct.
>         """
>         if name in self.__dict__:
>             self.__dict__[name] = value
>         else:
>             raise(AttributeError("'struct' object has no attribute '%s'" \
>                                  % (name,)))

I think it makes the most sense, if this construct is adopted, to use
__slots__ to control mutability.  Someone more well-versed in the
python object model should determine if this is actually a good idea.

-- 
Cheers,
Leif