[Python-Dev] Changes to PEP 327: Decimal data type (original) (raw)

Michael Chermside mcherm at mcherm.com
Thu Mar 18 08:28:04 EST 2004

Greg writes:

I just did an experiment which involved running the Python script appended below over the Library Reference index. The results were:

Total names: 1908 lowernames: 1684 Percent lower: 88.2599580713

Unfortunately, there is a flaw in your methodology, and I can't think of a reasonable way to correct for it. Consider this code:

class AllMixedCase: def thisIsMixedCase(): pass def thisIsAlsoMixed(): pass def mixed(): pass

class AllLowerCase: def thisisalllowercase(): pass def thisisalsolowercase(): pass def lower(): pass

I'm guessing that your code counts 4 lowercase and 2 mixed case. The problem is that a one-word mixedCase looks just like a one-word lowercase. And when it's possible, using a simple one-word name is a GOOD thing... so hopefully our standard library is chock full of one-word functions.

I could also point out that in those cases where it ISN'T possible to use one word, the alllowercaseformat is a real pain to read, especially for non-native english speakers. But that would start a coding-style war, and a major purpose of having standards is to AVOID coding-style wars, so I'd better not bring it up. ;-)

-- Michael Chermside

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