[Python-ideas] Documenting Python warts

[Steven D'Aprano]

On 02/01/13 15:27, Chris Angelico wrote:
> On Wed, Jan 2, 2013 at 12:07 PM, Nick Coghlan<ncoghlan at gmail.com>  wrote:
>> FWIW, I prefer the term "traps for the unwary" over "warts", since
>> it's less judgmental and better covers the goal of issues for people
>> which can cause problems with learning the language.
>
> Sure. I prefer a shorter keyword-like name, but I think we're talking
> about the same thing here.

"Gotcha".


Actually I prefer to distinguish between gotchas and warts. A gotcha is
something that makes sense and even has a use, but can still surprise
those who aren't expecting it. (E.g. mutable defaults.) A wart is
something that has no use, but can't (easily, or at all) be removed.
Example:

t = (None, [], None)
t[1] += [0]

Even though the list is successfully modified, the operation still fails
with an exception.



-- 
Steven