Bug or feature?

[Jeremy Hylton]

>>>>> "CT" == Christian Tismer <tismer at appliedbiometrics.com> writes:

  CT> Fredrik Lundh wrote: ...

  >> could anyone tell me which beginner's document that says that
  >> Python has class variables, and that using them is a good idea?
  >> especially for mutable data types?

  >> From the standard tutorial which I think is addressed to
  CT> beginners, we find

  CT> GvR_says=""" 9.3.2 Class Objects
[...]
  CT> """

  CT> I think this is not an invitation and not a warning.  Althpough
  CT> I cannot find anything wrong with class variables if one knows
  CT> what she does.

I agree!  The tutorial could do more to encourage good style with its
initial example.

I just read through Chapter 9 ("Classes") of the tutorial early today,
and it could use some work.  It has two long rambly sections titled
"Python Scopes and Name Spaces" and "Random Remarks."  Each has a
number of important things to say, but I doubt many people are going
to catch them on the first (or second) reading.  Interestingly enough,
the first section of Chapter 9 ("A Word on Terminology") also
discusses Python gotcha #3 -- shared mutable objects.

Perhaps we should contribute some revisions to this chapter.

Jeremy