Suggestion for "syntax error": ++i, --i

[Petr Prikryl]

Hi Christian,

The suggestion is to mark PREFIX version ++i as
syntax error. It is not related to the postfix 
version of the ++ operator. For prefix in/decrement,
there is no extra variable behind. But again,
it is not related to the suggestion. The postfix
version is already marked as "syntax error".
The suggestion is to do the same with the prefix
version of the operators that are not used in Python.

Petr

"Christian Ergh" wrote...
> Hmm, i never liked the i++ syntax, because there is a value asignment 
> behind it and it does not show - except the case you are already used
to it.
> 
>  >>> i = 1
>  >>> i +=1
>  >>> i
> 2
> 
> I like this one better, because you see the assignment at once, it is 
> easy to read and inuitive usability is given - in my opinion.
> Chris
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Petr Prikryl wrote:
> > Hi,
> > 
> > Summary: In my opinion, the C-like prefix
> > increment and decrement operators (++i and --i)
> > should be marked as "syntax error".
> > 
> > 
> > Current situation: try... (Python 2.4 (#60, ...))
> > 
> >>>>i = 1
> >>>>i
> > 
> > 1
> > 
> >>>>i++
> > 
> >   File "<stdin>", line 1
> >     i++
> >       ^
> > SyntaxError: invalid syntax
> > 
> >>>>++i
> > 
> > 1
> > 
> >>>>--i
> > 
> > 1
> > 
> > 
> > Reason for how ++i and --i behaves in Python is 
> > that it is probably treated as (-(-i)) and (+(+i))
> > respectively.
> > 
> > Rationale: My guess is that many Python users
> > do use other languages at the same time. 
> > The C-family languages do use the prefix increment
> > and decrement operators. When used in Python
> > no warning appears -- the code simply does not work
> > as expected. In the same time, there is probably no
> > reason to use the increment and decrement 
> > prefix operators. On the other hand, the newcommer
> > or the programmer that "types ++i automatically 
> > because of brain synapses say he/she should..."
> > is not warned until something does not work.
> > 
> > Con: The situation must be recognized by the parser
> > (i.e. someone have to implement it).
> > 
> > Pro: No runtime overhead except of the detection
> > of the situation. As Python is a good candidate
> > to be used as the language for teaching, the "syntax
> > error" would be the pedagogical plus.
> > 
> > Personal experience: Many things in Python work
> > intuitively. My C++ experience "forced me" to use
> > ++i as described above. I use iteration more these
> > days and I know about the ++i problem invisibility 
> > in Python. But I had to learn by mistake. The ++i
> > behaviour is not intuitive for me.
> > 
> > Your opinion?
> > 
> >