[Python-Dev] Bytes path support (original) (raw)

Marko Rauhamaa marko at pacujo.net
Sat Aug 23 18:33:06 CEST 2014

"R. David Murray" <rdmurray at bitdance.com>:

The same problem existed in python2 if your goal was to produce a stream with a consistent encoding, but now python3 treats that as an error.

I have a different interpretation of the situation: as a rule, use byte strings in Python3. Text strings are a special corner case for applications that have to deal with human languages.

If your application has to talk SMTP, use bytes.

If your application has to do IPC, use bytes.

If your application has to do file I/O, use bytes.

If your application is a word processor or an IM client, you have text strings available. You might find, though, that barely any modern GUI application is satisfied with crude text strings. You will need weights, styles, sizes, emoticons, positions, directions, shadows, alignment etc etc so it may be that Python's text strings are only good enough for storing individual characters or short snippets.

In sum, Python's text strings might have one sweet spot: Usenet clients.

Marko

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