Rationale for core Python numeric types

[Peter Hansen]

Matt Feinstein wrote:

> I'm new to Python, and was somewhat taken aback to discover that the
> core language lacks some basic numerical types (e.g., single-precision
> float, short integers). I realize that there are extensions that add
> these types-- But what's the rationale for leaving them out? Have I
> wandered into a zone in the space/time continuum where people never
> have to read binary data files?

Check the docs for the struct module: 
http://docs.python.org/lib/module-struct.html

Also start leaving your C background behind, since it will limit
you in many other ways as you learn Python. :-)

-Peter