[Python-Dev] Re: would warnings be appropriate for probably-misused global statements?

[Terry Reedy]

"Alex Martelli" <aleax@aleax.it> wrote in message
news:E189ShF-00064c-00@mail.python.org...
> I've recently helped clarify a few users' confusion about what the
"global"
> statement is for, and I'm starting to think that it might help
overcome that
> confusion if "global" gave warnings when used in
probably-inappropriate ways:
> not inside a function,

Yes.  This could even be made a syntax error, as with other contextual
statements:

>>> continue
SyntaxError: 'continue' not properly in loop
>>> break
SyntaxError: 'break' outside loop
# these messages should be same

>>> return 0
SyntaxError: 'return' outside function

# so why not " 'global' outside function"

> or about a variable that the function does not, in
> fact, bind nor re-bind.
No.  This can serve as documentation and/or preparation/protection for
possible revision that does rebind.

Terry J. Reedy