pre-PEP: Suite-Based Keywords

[Shane Hathaway]

Kent Johnson wrote:
> Brian Sabbey wrote:
>> Using suite-based keyword arguments, the code
>>
>> f(x = 1)
>>
>> is equivalent to
>>
>> f():
>>    x = 1
> 
> 
> ISTM the syntax is ambiguous. How do you interpret
> if f():
>   x = 1
> ?
> 
> Is a suite alllowed only when a block could not be introduced in the
> current syntax?

I like this PEP a lot, but your concern is valid.  Maybe Brian could
modify the PEP slightly to disambiguate.  How about using an ellipsis in
the argument list to signify suite-based keywords?  Examples:

f(...):
    x = 1

class C(object):
   x = property(...):
      doc = "I'm the 'x' property."
      def fget(self):
         return self.__x
      def fset(self, value):
         self.__x = value
      def fdel(self):
         del self.__x

d = dict(...):
    a = 1
    b = 2

Using an ellipsis in a statement that would begin a different kind of
block is illegal and generates a syntax error.  Note that this usage
seems to fit well with the definition of "ellipsis".

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=ellipsis

Shane