Set like feature

[Mitja]

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 00:05:04 +0100, Alex Martelli <aleaxit at yahoo.com>  
wrote:

> Mitja <nun at example.com> wrote:
>
>> > each element on a column by column basis.
>> >
>> > I am using python2.2 so no sets. Can anyone think of an efficient way
>> > to do this?
>>
>> If I understand the problem correctly, splitting the lines up and  
>> sorting
>> them before comparison _is_ much better than a naive approach, though I
>> don't know if that's what's best.
>
> Splitting, sure.  Sorting would destroy the 'column by column basis'.

I wasn't sure what OP really wanted; I saw both the "column by column"  
thing and the bit about sets, which is contradicting, so I assumed he was  
after sets-like behavior. [wrongly, as later posts clarified]

-- 
Mitja