Slicing beyond list -- bug or featurette?

[Ivan Van Laningham]

Hi All--

Pierre Fortin wrote:
> 
> Just ran into a situation which can be summarized as follows:
> 

[bobbitt]

> list[2:50] returns [ 2,3,4 ]
> list[20:] or list[20:30] returns []
> 
> Can I count on this, or should I code try/except for the day it's
> fixed?  This 'feature' reduces the error situations; but is it
> correct/intended?
> 

I don't presume to speak for Guido, but the way slicing is implemented
it seems likely that you can count on it: list[:] is implemented as if
it were list[0:MAXINT].  I doubt that Guido will change it, but then,
the Guido is the Guido.

<but-they-don't-call-him-guido-svetz-for-nothing>-ly y'rs,
Ivan;-)
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Ivan Van Laningham
Callware Technologies, Inc.
ivanlan at callware.com
ivanlan at home.com
http://www.pauahtun.org
See also: 
http://www.foretec.com/python/workshops/1998-11/proceedings.html
Army Signal Corps:  Cu Chi, Class of '70
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