[Python-Dev] Backporting PEP 414 (original) (raw)

Ethan Furman ethan at stoneleaf.us
Tue Feb 28 21:27:34 CET 2012


Here's what I know:

We don't add features to bug-fix releases. u'' is considered a feature. By not backporting to 3.1 and 3.2 we are not easing the migration pains from 2.x.

Here's what I don't know:

Why is readding u'' a feature and not a bug? (Just had a thought about this -- because the removal of u'' is documented.)

To take a different example: callable() had been removed from 3.0, and was added back in 3.2. callable() is not a big deal as you can roll your own quite easily -- and that is the huge difference: a user cannot add u'' back to 3.0/3.1 (at least, not without modifying and rebuilding the Python interpreter source).

If there is already a FAQ entry feel free to point me to it, but I would still be curious why, in this instance, practicality does not beat purity?

My apologies if this type of question has been rehashed before.

Ethan



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