[Python-Dev] Remove typing from the stdlib

[Steve Holden]

On Tue, Nov 7, 2017 at 12:35 AM, Donald Stufft <donald at stufft.io> wrote:
[..]


> Maybe we just need to fully flesh out the idea of a "Python Core" (What
> exists now as “Python”) and a “Python Platform” (Python Core + A select set
> of preinstalled libraries). Then typing can just be part of the Python
> Platform, and gets installed as part of your typical installation, but is
> otherwise an independent piece of code.
>
> Given that (type and other) annotations have been promoted as an optional
feature of the language it seems unfair and perhaps unwise to add a
dependency specifically to support
​them
 to the stdlib and therefore the Python core.
​ Since type annotations are, as Paul pointed out, development-time
features, it​ would appear to behoove those wishing to use them to separate
them in such a way that the software can be installed without annotations,
and therefore without the need for the typing module. Assuming they would
like to see the widest possible distribution, of course. For selected
audiences I am sure typing will be *de rigeur*,


​In this scenario, surely the most "typical" installation would be a
virtualenv. ​Do all virtualenvs rely on the same Platform? Who decides
which additional libraries are required for the Platform? Doesn't this just
add another "type of installation" distinction to confuse the unwary? How
do I maintain the Platform separately from the Core? Does my sysadmin
maintain either or both? I'd like to see a little more clarity about the
benefits such a schism would offer.

regards
 Steve
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