How about adding rational fraction to Python?

[D'Arcy J.M. Cain]

On Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:49:10 +0100
Hrvoje Niksic <hniksic at xemacs.org> wrote:
> "D'Arcy J.M. Cain" <darcy at druid.net> writes:
> 
> > I have not been following Python development that closely lately so
> > I was not aware of that. I guess I won't be going to Python 3 then.
> > It's great that Python wants to attract young, new programmers.  Too
> > bad about us old farts I guess.
> 
> Before deciding to drop Python 3 on the grounds of integer division, I
> recommend that you at least read PEP 238
> (http://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0238/) to see arguments *why* the
> division was changed.  Who knows, maybe they persuade you?

I have.  They don't.  I'm not impressed by the fact that the same
generation(s) that can't make change when the cash register is broken
are surprised by integer division.  What can I say?  I learned
arithmetic with paper and pencil and my head before I was allowed to use
a calculator.  Integer division means integer result to me in a very
real sense.  Arguing that integer division "should" return a float just
sounds like proof by vigorous assertion to me.

I suppose I will adapt but it really feels wrong.

-- 
D'Arcy J.M. Cain <darcy at druid.net>         |  Democracy is three wolves
http://www.druid.net/darcy/                |  and a sheep voting on
+1 416 425 1212     (DoD#0082)    (eNTP)   |  what's for dinner.