open is not obsolete (was Re: understanding self

[Colin J. Williams]

Paul Watson wrote:
> "Colin J. Williams" <cjw at sympatico.ca> wrote in message
> news:5OaHc.45662$JG5.971334 at news20.bellglobal.com...
> 
>>
>>Delaney, Timothy C (Timothy) wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Jeff Shannon wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Okay, perhaps "legacy" is a better term than "obsolete".  In either
>>>>case, it's recommended that it not be used in new code, even if there
>>>>is no current plan to remove it.  Not that the specifics of this case
>>>>are particularly germane to the point I was making...
>>>
>>>
>>>As mentioned by Tony, this is not the case. From python-dev:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>>Then should the following line in the reference be changed?
>>>>>
>>>>>"The file() constructor is new in Python 2.2. The previous spelling,
>>>>>open(), is retained for compatibility, and is an alias for file()."
>>>>>
>>>>>That *strongly* suggests that the preferred spelling is file(), and
>>>>>that open() shouldn't be used for new code.
>>>>
>>>>Oops, yes.  I didn't write that, and it doesn't convey my feelings
>>>>about file() vs. open().  Here's a suggestion for better words:
>>>>
>>>>"The file class is new in Python 2.2.  It represents the type (class)
>>>>of objects returned by the built-in open() function.  Its constructor
>>>>is an alias for open(), but for future and backwards compatibility,
>>>>open() remains preferred."
>>>>
>>>>--Guido van Rossum (home page: http://www.python.org/~guido/)
>>>
>>>
>>>Tim Delaney
>>
>>"file" is analogous to a class constructor, while "open" becomes a
>>factory function for that class, with the same signature.
>>
>>This raises the question as to which is the better way of creating an
>>instance of a class.
>>
>>It seems to me that the constructor is, for simple cass, the better way
>>to go.  It provides one way and avoids the question of "Should I use A
>>or B when there are more than one ways of doing some task.
>>
>>What is the general view?
>>
>>Colin W.
> 
> 
> It would appear that the "General DBFL" view is to use open().
> 
> 
I was seeking some ideas on the relative merits of factory functions vs 
constructors.  We have the DBFL view on the specific case of open versus 
file.

Colin W.