[Tutor] Why is the name "self" optional instead of mandatory?

[DiliupG]

The answer to this will be an interesting read... :)
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On Thu, Jan 21, 2016 at 11:10 AM, Cameron Simpson <cs at zip.com.au> wrote:

> On 20Jan2016 21:42, boB Stepp <robertvstepp at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I'm whizzing along in "Python Crash Course" and am in the chapter on
>> classes.  Just to satisfy my suspicion that "self" is just a
>> placeholder for creating an object instance,
>>
>
> No, it is a placeholder for a _preexiting_ object instance.
>
> [...]
>
>> So I really only have one question:  Why not make Python's
>> *traditional* name, "self", mandatory?  Why give the programmer this
>> kind of choice?  [OK, that was two questions.]
>>
>
> Why make it mandatory? What benefit would it bring? Remember, one can
> write nonsense or impossible to read gibberish in any language; most people
> don't try to. So to repeat my question: why make it mandatory?
>
> Cheers,
> Cameron Simpson <cs at zip.com.au>
>
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-- 
Diliup Gabadamudalige

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