[Python-ideas] Small enhancement to os.path.splitext

[M.-A. Lemburg]

Tarek Ziadé wrote:
> Hello
> 
> Currently, os.path.splitext will split a string giving you the piece
> behind the last dot:
> 
>>>> os.path.splitext('file.tar.gz')
> ('file.tar', '.gz')
> 
> In some cases, what we really want is the two last parts when
> splitting on the dots (like in my example).
> 
> What about providing an extra argument to be able to grab more than one dot ?
> 
>>>> os.path.splitext('file.tar.gz', numext=2)
> ('file', '.tar.gz')
> 
> If numext > numbers of dots, it will just split after the first dot:
> 
>>>> os.path.splitext('file.tar', numext=2)
> ('file', '.tar')
> 
> 
> What do you think ?

I'm not sure whether that would really solve anything.

The general problem with extensions is that they can span multiple
"dotted" parts in a filename, but whether they do or not depends
on the extensions.

E.g. you can have 'file.tar', 'file.tar.gz', 'file.tgz', 'file.tar.gz.uu',
'file.tag.gz.asc', 'file.tar.gz.gpg', etc.

OTOH, it's possible to have files using extra dotted
parts to signal certain properties to the user, which don't
really mean anything in terms of encoding, file format or
compression, e.g. 'file.i686.linux.64bit.bin'

Most systems I know that have to deal with file extensions,
come with a list of possible extensions and then register
a handler or property with each.

They typically use the 'longest match wins' strategy and then
use the match extension as file extension.

-- 
Marc-Andre Lemburg
eGenix.com

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