[Python-Dev] functools.compose to chain functions together

["Martin v. Löwis"]

> Then I wonder how partial() ended up in the stdlib. 

PEP 309 was written, discussed, approved, and implemented - that's how
partial ended up in the stdlib. The feature itself might be debatable,
that's what we have the PEP process for.

> Either we decide it is useful to have a set of basic "functional" tools
> in the stdlib, and both partial() and compose() have their place there,
> or we decide functools has no place in the stdlib at all. Providing a
> half-assed module is probably frustrating to its potential users.

So write a PEP and propose to enhance the standard library.

> (not being particularly attached to functional tools, I still think
> compose() has its value, and Jason did a good job of presenting
> potential use cases)

I don't think he did. Comparing it to the one obvious solution (use
a lambda expression), his only reasoning was "it is much easier to
read". I truly cannot believe that a compose function would be easier
to read to the average Python programmer: if you have

  def foo(data):
    return compose(a, b(data), c)

what would you expect that to mean? Please rewrite it as a regular
Python expression, preferably without looking at the patch that
has been proposed first. I bet there is a 50% chance that you get
it wrong (because there are two possible interpretations).

Regards,
Martin