[Python-Dev] Is adding support for os.PathLike an enhancement or bugfix? (original) (raw)

Chris Barker chris.barker at noaa.gov
Mon May 8 15:04:45 EDT 2017

On Fri, May 5, 2017 at 2:34 PM, Terry Reedy <tjreedy at udel.edu> wrote:

So it would be really great if any updates to shutils (and other stdlib

packages) to support the new protocol be back-ported.

Not if they change the language.

we're not talking about language changes here -- we are talking about updates to the stdlib.

Eric wrote:

The problem is that when someone writes code a year from now and tests it

under Python 3.6.2, then a customer of theirs finds it doesn't work in 3.6.1. This will happen if 3.6.2 supports Path parameters to functions that 3.6.1 does not.

This does, of course apply to the stdlib -- not just the language.

We've burned ourselves before with this, most famously with True and False

in 2.2.1: http://python-history.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-history-of- bool-true-and-false.html

I'd argue that adding three built-ins is a much bigger deal than enhancing a subset of one standard package -- not that the same issues wouldn't arise.

I think it's still worth, but I can certainly see why it might not be.

Too bad we didn't do a bit more testing for completely when it was beta....

-CHB

--

Christopher Barker, Ph.D. Oceanographer

Emergency Response Division NOAA/NOS/OR&R (206) 526-6959 voice 7600 Sand Point Way NE (206) 526-6329 fax Seattle, WA 98115 (206) 526-6317 main reception

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