Simple change of python's behaviour

[Martin v. Löwis]

"Tim Gahnström /Bladerman" <tim at bladerman.com> writes:

> Another way would be to add loop as a native keyword in my python
> interpreter, is it a feasible idea or is it just overworking something
> simple? Where would I start for this?

It is feasible, and it shouldn't be that hard. You have to implement
the following steps:

1. Modify the lexer to recognize the new keyword.
2. Modify the grammar to incorporate it, adding non-terminals as necessary.
3. Modify the compiler to recognize the non-terminals

Changes to the byte code are not needed for this feature (as you plan
to represent it with existing statements). Optionally, you can implement

4. Add a __future__ statement, making your extension optional.

I'm not sure whether the list of keywords is generated; it might be
that you just have to modify the grammar. So I recommend to start with
2), editing Grammar/Grammar. Make sure you build on Unix, so that the
compiler generator is invoked. For 3), look at Python/compile.c

> Is there a better way?

I'd personally consider "don't extend the language" better, but you
haven't actually given a rationale for this extension, so this is a
weak objection.

Regards,
Martin