Why "flat is better than nested"?

Seebs usenet-nospam at seebs.net
Wed Oct 27 12:14:06 EDT 2010


On 2010-10-27, kj <no.email at please.post> wrote:
> I have nothing against humor.  The reason why I find "import braces"
> funny is that it is so obviously a joke.  But I do find it mildly
> annoying (and just mildly) that a joke/hoax/farce like ZoP/this.py
> is built into the standard lib, because a lot of people (not just
> me) don't realize it's a joke.

It's not a joke.  It's silly.  That's different.

> disorienting enough as it is.  I don't see the point of making the
> task any harder than it already is by injecting additional *gratuitous
> confusion* in the form pseudo-rogramming advice that apparently no
> experienced Python program really believes/takes seriously anyway.

There's a world of difference between "take it seriously" and "adhere
to it with rigid dogmatism".

It's good advice, but like most style rules, they're not absolute rules
you should always follow no matter what.

So, yes, it's endorsed.  As what it is, which is a set of tools for thinking
about Python, not as a set of formal dogmas to which all programs must adhere
or face excommunication.

-s
-- 
Copyright 2010, all wrongs reversed.  Peter Seebach / usenet-nospam at seebs.net
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