[Python-Dev] strop vs. string

[Mark Hammond]

[Tim]
> The buffer object has been neglected for years:  is that because it's in
> prime shape, or because nobody cares about it enough to maintain it?

My take is a little different.  I think people could be convinced to care
about it, and indeed I do.  However, it has one fatal flaw, and no one seems
to know what to do about it.

The problem is the one best demonstrated with the array module - if you get
a pointer to the buffer interface for an array object, but the array then
resizes itself, the buffer pointer dangles.

There have been a few attempts over time to raise the buffer profile, but
this design flaw leaves people scratching their head - it is hard to press
for adoption of a feature that has a known crash hiding away.

However, addressing this problem is difficult.  Guido appears unconvinced
that buffer objects and interfaces are that worthwhile.  It appears no one
else knows how to proceed in the face of this ambivalence - that describes
my take even if no one elses.

The-buffer-is-dead,-long-live-the-buffer ly,

Mark.