[Python-ideas] Quick idea: defining variables from functions that take the variable name

[Paul Moore]

On 31 May 2016 at 04:08, Steven D'Aprano <steve at pearwood.info> wrote:
> How do you feel about an arrow operator?
>
>
> T -> TypeVar()
> x -> Symbol()
> T -> type(bases, ns)
> Record -> namedtuple(fields)

I like this.

Simplifying it, how about

name [, name ...] -> callable

which is equivalent to

name [, name ...] = callable(('name' [, 'name' ... ]))

I.e., the RHS is a callable, and we call it with the names. No need to
inject an argument into an existing call. This avoids any confusion
over the RHS being "too complex". For callables that have extra
arguments, just use functools.partial.

I agree with the special case of a single name becoming a string
(rather than a tuple of strings). If you want a 1-tuple, do "name, ->
function" (the same trick as for unpacking assignment).

As for the operator name, I like -> but I see why Guido might object
because of the type signature usage (although is there actually any
clash?) Alternatives could be := (from Pascal, although that doesn't
have the implication of "sending the LHS to the right") or => (which
might work, but is easily confused with >=/<=). If a 3-character
symbol is acceptable, ->> might work. Keywords don't really sit right
with me for this.

Paul