[Tutor] iterators

[Alan Gauld]

On 19/01/14 16:18, Oscar Benjamin wrote:

> It's not really that complicated. Basically range on 3.x (or xrange on
> 2.x) returns a range object:

Sadly though it is complicated, at least for newbies :-(

Python 3 has cleaned up much of the language from a Comp Sci point of 
view but from the point of view of a lay newbie it has exposed lots of 
complicated detritus that means absolutely nothing to them.

What is an iterator? a range object? generators? slots?
Lists and sequences are fairly standard language concepts but these new 
terms are terrifyingly obscure for newbies, especially when they appear 
in error messages.

It has reached the point that I'm back to looking for a new teaching 
language. In Python 3 the decision has clearly been made to focus on
supporting Python's role as a professional software engineering language
at the expense of being a successor to ABC or for use in CP4E etc.
That's a fair enough decision but it does mean Python is no longer the 
easiest option for non Comp Sci beginners. It's not worse than the 
others but it's no longer clearly superior. (IMHO at least! )

But what else is there? that's the problem.... :-(

-- 
Alan G
Author of the Learn to Program web site
http://www.alan-g.me.uk/
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