[Python-ideas] Working with Path objects: p-strings?

[Sven R. Kunze]

On 25.03.2016 22:56, Michel Desmoulin wrote:
> Although path.py, which I have been using for years now (and still
> prefer to pathlib) subclass str and never caused any problem whatsoever.
> So really, we should pinpoint where it could be an issue and see if this
> is a frequent problem, because right now, it seems more a decision based
> on purity than practicality.

I agree. The PEP says:

"""
No confusion with builtins
----------------------------------
In this proposal, the path classes do not derive from a builtin type. 
This contrasts with some other Path class proposals which were derived 
from str . They also do not pretend to implement the sequence protocol: 
if you want a path to act as a sequence, you have to lookup a dedicated 
attribute (the parts attribute).

Not behaving like one of the basic builtin types also minimizes the 
potential for confusion if a path is combined by accident with genuine 
builtin types.
""""

I have to admit I cannot follow these statements but they should have 
appeared to be necessary back then. As experience shows the PyPI module 
fared far better here.


I am great a fan of theory over practice as what has been proven in 
theory cannot be proven wrong in practice. However, this only holds if 
we talk about hard proof. For soft things like "human interaction", 
"mutual understanding" or "potential for confusion", only the practice 
of many many people can "prove" what's useful, what's "practical".


Best,
Sven
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