Extending the dict class

[chosechu]

Bruno Desthuilliers wrote:
> It's usually possible to modify third-parts classes behaviour on the fly
> (googling for 'monkey-patching' should get you started). But true, this
> doesn't work with builtins.

I guess this stems from the fact that Python dictionaries
are C creatures and they are themselves used for internal
housekeeping, so no high-level modifications can be allowed
to disturb language internals. This all makes sense. It is sad
not to have the possibility to extend built-ins but on the other
hand it guarantees a constant (predictable) behaviour, which
I agree is something we should protect.

Thanks to all contributors for your nearly instantaneous
reaction times and help on the topic.