[Python-ideas] New explicit methods to trim strings

[Jonathan Fine]

Chris Angelico asked: what does a negative string look like?

This is a very good question. It looks a bit like a negative number.

    >>> 2 + 2
    4
    >>> len('aa' + 'bb')
    4
    >>> len(-'bb')
    -2 # Odd, I must confess.
     >>> 5 + (-1)
     4
     >>> len('hello')
     5
     >>> len(-'o')
      -1
     >>> 'hello' + (-'o')
     'hell'
     >>> len('hello' + (-'o'))
     4

Grade school: How can I possible have -3 apples in my bag.
University: How can I possibly be overdrawn in my bank account.

Negative strings are similar to negative numbers except:
    For numbers a + b == b + a
    For strings a + b != b + a

It is the non-commuting that make negative strings difficult. This is a bit
like computer programming. It's not enough to have the correct lines of
code (or notes). They also have to be put in the right order.

I hope this helps. I do this sort of math all the time, and enjoy it. Your
experience may be different.

-- 
Jonathan
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