[Python-ideas] os.listdir with current working directory as default

[Lie Ryan]

Zac Burns wrote:
>> You'd better be careful with it. The "current directory" is process-wide and so
>> modifying it in a thread will affect all other threads in your program. I'm not
>> saying all programs have this characteristic, but relying on the current
>> directory rather than explicit paths isn't always a good idea...
> 
> I agree with Antoine, but would go further to say that making it a
> default argument is an enablement - just making it easier for people
> to follow a bad pattern.
> 
> This doesn't apply to all default arguments of course, just that the
> working directory is "considered harmful" and we probably shouldn't
> make changes that make it easier for people to use.

When you open() files do you always use full path? Why don't we
eliminate all modules and built-in function that uses relative path by
default then? That way we will always be safe? Making open(), etc raise
RelativePathError if using relative path.