Why self?

[Robb Shecter]

Lou Pecora wrote:
> In article <3D29DD1A.6040209 at onsitetech.com>, Robb Shecter
> <rs at onsitetech.com> wrote:
> 
> 
>>>>    self.__velocity = self.__factor1 * self.__factor2
>>>
> 
> You don't need the double underscores.

I feel like I need them because:

1. AFAIK, without them, subclasses can inadvertently cause problems.
2. I'm used to the OO/encapsulation idea of private scope being the
    default.
3. It seems Pythonic: These variables aren't part of the public API,
    and so the underscores give clues to some Python tools.
4. It seems Pythonic: The 'property' feature would be confusing if both
    the new property, plus the internal representation were seen as being
    public API.

Robb