[Python-Dev] replacing 'global'

[Neal Norwitz]

On Mon, Oct 27, 2003 at 07:11:16AM -0800, Guido van Rossum wrote:
> 
> Hah.  Another argument *against* rebinding by :=, and *for* a nonlocal
> declaration.  With 'nonlocal n, m' in increment() (or however it's
> spelled :-) the intent is clear.

I dislike := very much.  I think it will confuse newbies and thus be
abused.  While I dislike the global declaration, I don't feel strongly
about changing or removing it.

The best alternative I've seen that addresses nested scope and the global
declaration. Is to borrow :: from C++:

        foo = DEFAULT_VALUES
        counter = 0

        def reset_foo():
            ::foo = DEFAULT_VALUES

        def inc_counter():
            ::counter += 1

        def outer():
            counter = 5
            def inner():
                ::counter += outer::counter     # increment global from outer
                outer::counter += 2             # increment outer counter

The reasons why I like this approach:
        * each variable reference can be explicit when necessary
        * no separate declaration
        * concise, no wording issues like global
        * similarity between global and nested scopes
          (ie, ::foo is global, scope::foo is some outer scope)
          both the global and nested issues are handled at once
        * doesn't prevent augmented assignment
        * it reads well to me and the semantics are pretty clear
          (although that's highly subjective)

Neal