[Python-ideas] Javascript Destructuring Assignment

[Ron Adam]

Greg Ewing wrote:
> Ron Adam wrote:
>> Greg Ewing wrote:
>>
>>> Ron Adam wrote:
>>>
>>>> Also the '*' syntax can't be used to unpack nested items.
>>>
>>> Makes perfectly good sense to me.
>>
>> Didn't say it didn't.
> 
> Then I still don't know what you meant by your original
> comment. What kind of nested item unpacking would you
> like to do that the * syntax wouldn't handle?

This was what I was that originally referring to.

     data = [1, 2, [3, 4], 5]
     a, b, c, d, e = data        # can't unpack [3,4] here with *

     a, b, [c, d], e  = data     # must use [] on the left side instead


>> Symmetry is not always the best solution.  Sometimes asymmetry is good 
>> because it can communicate a different context more clearly.
> 
> Perhaps, but why do you think that the symmetry we already
> have between packing and unpacking is okay, but a new
> symmetry involving * wouldn't be okay?

The * is used mostly with names and they tend to look more alike than the 
equivalent packing or unpacking using () or [] in more situations.  The () 
and [] are much more explicit in both packing and unpacking operations.

I like the packing and unpacking features of python very much, it's just I 
would like it a bit more if the '*' symbol for packing and unpacking were 
different in this particular case.  And especially so if '*' packing and 
unpacking features are used in a more general way.

     def foo(*args, **kwds):    # packs here

     bar(&args, &&kwds):        # unpacks here

     a, b, *c = a, b, c, d      # packs here

     a, b, c = &items           # unpacks here


It would just be easier for me to see and keep in my head while I'm working 
with it.  I'm not sure I can explain it better than that, or say exactly 
why as it probably has more to do with how my brain works than weather it 
is okay or not okay in any programing sense.

Is that clearer?  (I don't expect this to be changed)

Ron