Why python doesn't use syntax like function(, , x) for default parameters?

[Terry Reedy]

"Antoon Pardon" <apardon at forel.vub.ac.be> wrote in message 
news:slrne1372v.mt4.apardon at rcpc42.vub.ac.be...
> but nobody seems to have
> a problem with range(n) where n suddenly is the second parameter and
> we use the default for the first.

Actually, I consider the unique calling pattern for x/range to be something 
of a wart.  Learning this inconsistency was at least a minor problem.  It 
is a rather extreme example of typing laziness beats purity.

Given that enumerate() eliminate many uses of range(), it might be worth 
considering requiring the start param.  range(0,n) only takes two more 
keystrokes.  Better maybe to shorten range to rng to get them back ;-)

Terry Jan Reedy