[Python-Dev] PEP 318 - generality of list; restrictions on

elements ([original](https://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-dev/2004-March/043061.html)) ([raw](?raw))

Michael Hudson mwh at python.net
Thu Mar 11 05:42:38 EST 2004

Guido van Rossum <guido at python.org> writes:

In any case, I would prefer not to let the semantics require anything, and to make this just a (preferred) shorthand for applying arbitrary transformations to something that starts out as a function.

Sense at last !

Two additional thoughts: ^^^

"No-one expects..."

1) I'm not sure I like using the same syntax for classes; the use cases are so different that using similar syntax only adds confusion, and I think the use cases for classes are a lot weaker than for methods.

This is a marginal point, in my view.

2) The syntax should also apply to regular functions.

I wasn't aware that only applying it to methods had even been considered for the tiniest fraction of an instant. It would be painful to implement and a transparently bad idea.

3) It needs to be crystal clear that the list of transformations is applied at function/method definition time, not at class definition time (which is later, after all the methods have been collected in a namespace).

Given 2), that the syntax works for functions, I think this follows. Besides, I can't think of a sane way of implementing the opposite...

Cheers, mwh

-- I would hereby duly point you at the website for the current pedal powered submarine world underwater speed record, except I've lost the URL. -- Callas, cam.misc

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