[Python-Dev] None as a keyword / class methods

[Barry A. Warsaw]

>>>>> "gvwilson" ==   <gvwilson@nevex.com> writes:

    gvwilson> If None becomes a keyword, I would like to ask whether
    gvwilson> it could be used to signal that a method is a class
    gvwilson> method, as opposed to an instance method:

It still seems mildly weird that None would be a special kind of
keyword, one that has a value and is used in ways that no other
keyword is used.  Greg gives an example, and here's a few more:

def baddaboom(x, y, z=None):
    ...

if z is None:
    ...

try substituting `else' for `None' in these examples. ;)

Putting that issue aside, Greg's suggestion for static method
definitions is interesting.

class Ping:
    # would this be a SyntaxError?
    def __init__(None, arg):
	...

    def staticMethod(None, arg):
	...

p = Ping()
Ping.staticMethod(p, 7)  # TypeError
Ping.staticMethod(7)     # This is fine
p.staticMethod(7)        # So's this
Ping.staticMethod(p)     # and this !!

-Barry