[Python-Dev] conditional expressions? (original) (raw)

Tim Peters tim.one@home.com
Tue, 16 Oct 2001 00:41:50 -0400

[Daniel Mahler]

Has an if(cond,exp1,exp2) syntax been considered?

Not seriously, no. That looks like a function call, and function arguments are always evaluated in Python, and that works against seeing this as a short-circuiting construct:

q = if y then x/y else copysign(INFINITY, x)

It would have the advantage that existing syntax sensitive editors would handle without change.

I don't see any problem there (and am responsible for two context sensitive Python edit gimmicks, and used to be responsible for a third -- all I expect to need to do is get "then" at token level colored as keyword).

I think conditional exprs badly needed, but the if/then/else syntax seems too verbose for use inside expressions.

Good -- then you won't be tempted to abuse it <0.5 wink>.

best-in-small-doses-ly y'rs - tim