Why self?

[Brian Quinlan]

Robb wrote: 
> I don't think so:  As I understand it, the double underscores are
> necessary in order to for the class to function correctly if
subclassed.
>   Without them, a subclass could inadvertently use/misuse/overwrite
them.

Two leading underscores make the instance variable private. I doubt that
is required in the example that you gave. Actually, private instance
variables are uncommon in general.

> These requirements remind me of C++ or Perl, where in order to do the
> correct thing, you have to go through extra work.  Or, conversely, the
> language encourages you to do the wrong thing.

Python forces you to be explicit. That way we will know what you are
doing, right or wrong.

Cheers,
Brian