[Python-Dev] Challenge about print >> None

Paul Prescod paul@prescod.net
Mon, 11 Sep 2000 22:34:10 -0700


Vladimir Marangozov wrote:
> 
>...
> 
> def func(file=sys.stdout):
>     print >> file, args
> 
> This is a clearer, compared to None which is not a file.

I've gotta say that I agree with you on all issues. If I saw that
file=None stuff in code in another programming language I would expect
it meant send the output nowhere. People who want sys.stdout can get it.
Special cases aren't special enough to break the rules!
-- 
 Paul Prescod - Not encumbered by corporate consensus
Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it. 
	- http://www.cs.yale.edu/homes/perlis-alan/quotes.html