[Python-Dev] API for binary operations on Sets

[Nick Coghlan]

On Thu, Sep 30, 2010 at 1:50 PM, Raymond Hettinger
<raymond.hettinger at gmail.com> wrote:
> 1a.  Liberalize setobject.c binary operator methods, restrict SetABC
> methods, and add named methods (like difference, update, etc) that accept
> any iterable.

> 2. We could liberalize builtin set objects to accept any iterable as an
> "other" argument to a binary set operator.  This choice is not entirely
> backwards compatible because it would break code depending on being able run
> __ror__, __rand__, etc after a NotImplemented value is returned.  That being
> said, I think it unlikely that such code exists.  The real disadvantage is
> that it replicates the problems with list.__add__ and Guido has said before
> that he doesn't want to do that again.

> I was leaning towards #1 or #1a and the guys on IRC thought #2 would be
> better.  Now I'm not sure and would like additional input so I can get this
> bug closed for 3.2.  Any thoughts on the subject would be appreciated.
> Thanks,

My own inclination would be to go with #1a, *unless* Guido chimes in
to say he's OK with having the set operators accept arbitrary
iterators.

Cheers,
Nick.

-- 
Nick Coghlan   |   ncoghlan at gmail.com   |   Brisbane, Australia