Python decorator syntax limitations

[Lie Ryan]

On 01/19/10 03:44, Jonathan S wrote:
> Any suggestions? I have my reasons for doing this, (news_page is a
> class, and __call__ is used to wrap the template.)
> I'm sure this is a limitation in the syntax, but would parenthesis
> somewhere help?

The restriction[1] is put in there since Guido has a "gut feeling" that
allowing arbitrary expression in decorator syntax severely harms
readability.
http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-dev/2004-August/046711.html

A workaround is to put an assignment above it:

nplookup = news_page('template.html').lookup
@nplookup(News, 'news_id', 'news')
def view(request, group, news):
    pass

If you are sure you can put up a convincing argument for lifting this
restriction, and you are willing to put some time arguing, you are
welcome to start a thread in the python-dev mailing list. Be sure to
read about previous discussions, as repeating arguments wouldn't change
anything.

[1] there is a subtle difference between "restriction" and "limitation"