[Python-Dev] [PEP204] Range Literals

[Eric S. Raymond]

Guido van Rossum <guido@beopen.com>:
> XXX is not a Dutch invention -- I picked up the habit from the X11
> source code base.  I believe it's fairly common in open source
> projects, and there are so many XXX'es throughout Python already that
> it's better not to try and change.

<pronunciamento role="Jargon File Editor">

Guido is correct.  XXX as a to-be-done marker was already known to me and
well established in the U.S. in 1990, when I collected the following entry:

@hd{XXX} @pr{X-X-X} @g{n.} @p{} A marker that attention is needed.
   Commonly used in program comments to indicate areas that are kluged
   up or need to be.  Some hackers liken `XXX' to the notional
   heavy-porn movie rating.  Compare @es{FIXME}.
@comment from Bob Page <page@eng.sun.com>, 16 Dec 1990

</pronunciamento>
-- 
		<a href="http://www.tuxedo.org/~esr">Eric S. Raymond</a>

No matter how one approaches the figures, one is forced to the rather
startling conclusion that the use of firearms in crime was very much
less when there were no controls of any sort and when anyone,
convicted criminal or lunatic, could buy any type of firearm without
restriction.  Half a century of strict controls on pistols has ended,
perversely, with a far greater use of this weapon in crime than ever
before.
        -- Colin Greenwood, in the study "Firearms Control", 1972