[Python-Dev] EuroPython Language Summit report

[R. David Murray]

On Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:52:40 +0200, Mark Dickinson <dickinsm at gmail.com> wrote:
> EuroPython 2011 Language Summit
> ===============================
[...] 
>     Unicode character classes is a particular need).  [Subtopic:  what needs
>     to be done to get the new regex module into Python?  Should it replace
>     the existing module?  What about backwards compatibility issues?]

I'm pretty sure regex has backward compatibility as a goal for just this
reason (so it can replace the current module).

> PEP 0380: Syntax for delegating to a subgenerator.
> 
> PEP 3150: Statement local namespaces.
> 
> PEP 3152: Cofunctions.
> 
> For all three of the above PEPs, there was some feeling that additional syntax
> changes to the language are unnecessary and make it harder to learn; where
> possible, we should prefer using 3rd partly libraries.

I disagree with this with respect to 380.  Haven't looked at the others.

> Python 2.7
> ----------
> 
> How long will this be maintained?
> Original decision was 5 years.

As I recall, the actual decision was "at *least* 5 years".  It's only
been one so far...was the discussion that five years was too short or
too long?

As the code bases continue to drift apart, and we fix the fixable bugs,
the number of patches going in to 2.7 will decrease over time, so I
don't think the burden of continuing to support it will be too heavy.
Currently about half of the non-feature-request issues (ie: bugs) in
the tracker are tagged 2.7.  I expect to see that percentage continue
to decrease over time.

--
R. David Murray           http://www.bitdance.com