[Python-ideas] Accessing the result of comprehension's expression from the conditional

[average]

From: Lie Ryan wrote:
> In list/generator comprehension, currently we have no way to access the
> result of the expression and have to write something like this:
>
> [f(x) for x in l if f(x) > 0]
>
> if f() is heavy or non-pure (i.e. have side effects), calling f() twice
> might be undesirable.
>
> I'm suggesting about something like:
>
> [f(x) for x in l if @ > 0]
>
> where @ is the result of the listcomp's expression (i.e. f(x))
>
> Personally, I don't like the use of symbols like @, as python is not
> perl. I'm still thinking of a better syntax/approach and is open for
> suggestion.
>
> What do you guys think?

I think it's a fine idea.  The English language has evolved such a
construct, typically used when one wants to highlight (rather than
simply *refer* (as a pronoun does) to) the dominant noun without
resorting to redundancy.

[f(x) for x in l if same > 0]  OR another possibility
[f(x) for x in l if self > 0]

obviously syntax highlighting makes this (or any keyword) standout
better.  Would be interesting to consider other usages for such a
keyword addition (in the case of the former).

Aahz:
> Listcomps and genexps are like lambdas: run up against their limits and
> you should switch to a regular for loop or generator.

Generally decent advice, but there is value to exploring the
Kolomogorov optimums for a given expressive need (compressing the
highest amount of meaning in the simplest construction).  In fact, I
consider Python to be one of best languages in this regard (it's
syntax being the evolution of programming-expressive compactness while
being complete in itself.  (In contrast to Perl, for example, which
offloads the complexity to the programmer.)

mark