Built-ins vs. modules

[Erik Max Francis]

Paul Berkowitz wrote:

> Why import the string module if you can do the same things anyway? The
> page
> of built in String Methods bears an uncanny resemblance to the page on
> the
> string module. Is there a historical reason? Are the built in type
> methods
> quite recent?

The functions in the string module used to be the only way to do this. 
Starting with 2.0, string methods meant that for fiddling with strings,
you need not import the string module.

There are still a few things in the string module that are unavailable
via string methods; e.g., string.lowercase and the like.  Though there
was recent discussion about incorporating these into the string class in
some manner, which seems to be receive favorable responses (though I
don't know what its status is).

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