using identifiers before they are defined

[Julio Sergio]

Jose H. Martinez <josehmartinezz <at> gmail.com> writes:

> 
> 
> You should define the function first and then call it.
> 
> 
>  def something(i):     return i
> 
> 
> a = something(5)
> 
> 
> If you want a reference to the function somewhere else you can do this:
> 

I know that. That was what I meant by "changing the order of the definitions 
will work" in my original message.

And I insist in the issue, which is not trivial... In my message I mentioned 
"crossed recursion", and I delve into it here:

Suppose I have to define two functions, aa, and, bb that are designed to call 
each other:

  def aa():
     ...
     ... a call of bb() somewhere in the body of aa
     ...

  def bb():
     ...
     ... a call of aa() somewhere in the body of bb
     ...


Whatever the order of definition of aa and bb the problem remains, one of the 
two identifiers is not known ...

Most of computer languages have mechanisms to deal with this issue. Is there any 
in Python or it is in disadvantage with respect to other languages like C++, 
Java, Perl, PHP, etc.?