[Python-Dev] Scoping vs augmented assignment vs sets (Re: 'fast locals' in Python 2.5) (original) (raw)

Boris Borcic bborcic at gmail.com
Wed Jun 14 13:12:09 CEST 2006

Josiah Carlson wrote:

You seem to not realize that these different use-cases. Your new example involves a global variable that is shared among everyone that knows about this particular module. It also is repaired by a simple insertion of 'global freebits' at the beginning of the search function.

My point here : a simple repair, and by a statement that amounts to a compiler directive with no other effect than obtaining my intent in bytecodes, so that "all other things being equal" comparisons of code versions remain possible (recall that I was studying the impact on working code of adopting sets - including performance).

The closure/class example is merely a method of encapsulating state, which I find easier to define, describe, and document than the closure version.

Your priviledge of course (and I am not saying it is misguided, although I would in particular argue that the matter gets debatable in the low LOC-count limit). (I am also wondering about performance comparisons).

Back in February, there was a discussion about allowing people to 'easily' access and modify variables defined in lexically nested scopes, but I believed then, as I believe now, that such attempted uses of closures are foolish when given classes. Given the trivial conversion of your closure example to a class, and my previous comments on closures "I find their use rarely, if ever, truely elegant, [...] more like kicking a puppy for barking: [...] there are usually better ways of dealing with the problem (don't kick puppies for barking and don't use closures).", you are not likely to find me agreeing with you about augmented assignment and/or lexically nested scopes.

I see. Thanks for the background. Background for backround, let me just say that python hadn't yet grown a lambda when I first played with it. May I read your last statement as acknowledging that I am not so much asking for a door to be created, than asking for a naturally builtin door, not to be locked by special efforts ?

Regards, Boris Borcic

"On naît tous les mètres du même monde"

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