[Python-ideas] local is safer than global

[Antoine Pitrou]

On Fri, 11 Jun 2010 21:18:48 -0400
Demur Rumed <junkmute at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> For example,
> 
> def f(x):
>     a.append(x)
>     if len(a)>5:a=[5]
> 
> If a is bound as a local, this throws an UnboundLocalError. Why then is it not set to try the global namespace, that place we cannot be so certain of the exception in?
> 
> It comes down to the view of UnboundLocalError as a feature or a bug

Certainly a feature. In case of ambiguity, a variable should be
considered local rather than global. It makes the language much safer.

It's also why I'm -1 on your proposal.

Regards

Antoine.