The "loop and a half"
Steve D'Aprano
steve+python at pearwood.info
Fri Oct 6 21:46:14 EDT 2017
On Sat, 7 Oct 2017 06:18 am, bartc wrote:
> For sort, there is no real need. You use a text editor to create your
> data. Then use existing file-based sort.
What you mean is, *you* see no need for sorting interactively, or sorting as
part of a pipeline of functions. That speaks more of your lack of imagination
and closed-mindedness than any real lack.
Personally, if I have a few (say, a dozen or so) lines I want sorted, it is
much easier to:
- select text from whatever application I'm using;
- bring up a terminal (I almost always have one already open);
- type `sort ENTER`;
- middle-click to paste the lines;
- type Ctrl-D;
- select the output lines;
- paste back into the original application;
(seven steps)
versus:
- select text from whatever application I'm using;
- open a text editor;
- paste into the text editor;
- hit Ctrl-S to save;
- think of a file name ("temp123");
- type it in the file save dialog;
- click SAVE to save;
- invariably the file name is already used from the previous time I
needed a temporary file and forgot to delete it afterwards;
- so look more carefully at the existing files, and think of a new name;
- edit the file name;
- click SAVE again;
- open an external sort program (do I even have one? what's it called again?);
- in the sort program, whatever it is called, type Ctrl-O to open;
- navigate to the directory I saved the temp file;
- open that file;
- sort the file;
- save the output;
- type Ctrl-Q to quit;
- go back to the editor;
- select the File > Reload menu command to reload the now sorted file;
- select the text;
- go back to the application I started with;
- paste;
- go back to the editor and hit Ctrl-Q to quit;
- go to a file manager;
- locate the temporary file;
- hit backspace to send it to the trash
(27 steps).
Yes, I can certainly see why you prefer that second work-flow to the first.
Its so much more inefficient than memorising "Ctrl-D for EOF".
I forget... it is "work harder, not smarter"? Being inefficient is a good
thing, right?
--
Steve
“Cheer up,” they said, “things could be worse.” So I cheered up, and sure
enough, things got worse.
More information about the Python-list
mailing list