PEP 318 - Function Modifier Syntax

[sismex01 at hebmex.com]

> From: Courageous [mailto:jkraska at san.rr.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2003 10:52 AM
> 
> > Apart from the fact that the python user community is not by 
> > any approximation a subset of the LaTeX community, I find the
> > argument that 'as' is confusing because it is already used in
> > import statements or SQL pretty dubious -- 
> 
> As well, I. While it would be better on general principle to 
> find a better word, if no such word is forthcoming this particular
> use of 'as' isn't at all confusing to me. As you point out, 'as'
> is a high utility English word already. Users ought to be familiar
> with its inherit dynamicity. :)
> 
> C//
>

Yes, but computer languages do not benefit from having words
with multiple distinct meanings.  "as" is already used to import
words from other modules giving them a different identifier than
it's original:

>>> import compile from re as RxCompile

Given that this meaning for "as" is already known, how should
the following be read:

>>> def SpecialFunction(a,b,c) as Synchronized:
         ....

This might tell many a user that this definition of SpecialFunction
gives it an additional name, Synchronized, and not that the
Synchronized() modifier is applied to the function SpecialFunction.

Given that, this definition:

>>> def VerySpecialFunction(a,b) as Synchronized, Memoized,
Contract(pre,post):
       ....

is downright confusing.  It might be taken to be more confusing
than the alternate syntax:

>>> def VerySpecialFunction(a,b) [Synchronized, Memoized,
Contract(pre,post)]:
      ....

because the first uses "as", which is already known; otoh, the use
of a list (or tuple) after the parameter list is unknown, so there's
no previous reference to muddle things up.

just an opinion.

-gca

pd: Please excuse this evil legalese. :-(
--

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