[Python-Dev] PEP 263 - default encoding

[M.-A. Lemburg]

Ok, let me summarize what I have learned in this thread:

1. People who used tweaked default encodings for Python have a
problem with the interpreter defaulting to this default encoding
for Python source files.

2. Source files which were written on platforms with differently
tweaked default encoding and without explicit magic comment
stating the source file encoding may cause trouble.

3. The Japanese user who wrote to me about the problem with
having to regularly switch between two different encodings
(one on Windows, one on Unix) has withdrawn his request. This
request originally lead to the idea of using the interpreter's
default encoding as default for the source files as well.

My conclusion to all this is to withdraw the default encoding
idea and replace it with the fixed ASCII default. This default
won't be changeable by other means that adding an explicit header
to the source file.

If anyone has objections, please speak up. 

Note that I don't want to head on into the UTF-8 discussion 
that has been going on. People who want the UTF-8 source code
encoding must use the UTF-8 coding header (and/or the BOM mark).

-- 
Marc-Andre Lemburg
CEO eGenix.com Software GmbH
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