deleting attributes

[Rob Hall]

One thing I like about Python is its flexibility.  But flexibility comes at
a cost.

My question (though worded badly) was not so much about the security
implications, but whether there are any legitimate reasons for deleting an
attribute that falls within the Python idiom.


I can think of a number of uses, in particular taking a short-cut in coding.
But it could easily become unreadable.  My first thought was to avoid it
like the plague.

Then I  thought there may be a legit reason for doing so, and couldn't think
of one.

Rob



"Gonçalo Rodrigues" <op73418 at mail.telepac.pt> wrote in message
news:9e9nmuc6ev4a4aar1sqbarvdqmdr3mj30s at 4ax.com...
> On Tue, 27 Aug 2002 09:43:24 +0800, "Rob Hall" <bloke at ii.net> wrote:
>
> >I was just reading through the Python Tutorial.  In section 9.2 (python
> >Scopes and Name Spaces) it says you can delete attributes (eg  del
> >modname.the_answer).
> >
> >This seems dangerous to me.  Can anyone give me a legitimate reason or eg
> >for why you would want to do this?
> >
> >Rob
> >
>
> I also get nervous when deleting attributes from instances, but remember
> that Python is a very dynamic language allowing you *to add* attributes
> to instances at anytime whatsoever. Deleting attributes is just the
> other side of the coin.
>
> Best regards,
> Gonçalo Rodrigues