is this pythonic?

[Terry Reedy]

"Steven D'Aprano" <steve at REMOVETHIScyber.com.au> wrote in message 
news:pan.2005.07.21.15.43.28.56459 at REMOVETHIScyber.com.au...
> On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 10:27:24 -0400, Bill Mill wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
>> I said the *builtins* section. I think you learn pretty quick that
>> figuring out what functions are builtins is pretty important in every
>> language. There's a fair number of people out there giving the advice
>> to read chapter 2 of the library reference cover-to-cover for a good
>> starter on python.

Including me.
>
> Sure. But for a beginner to start learning the language by reading the
> language manual is a bit much to ask.

Sure, but who is suggesting that.  Suggesting that people specifically read 
chapter 2 of the Library manual (but only that to start -- I probably have 
still not read every chapter yet) is quite different.

> There is no need to get defensive, I was merely commenting on the need to
> understand that inexperienced programmers often don't know enough about
> the language to know where to start looking for the answer.

Which is precise why I try to help by telling them where to start.  A large 
number of beginner queries posted here are answered in the builtins 
chapter.

Terry J. Reedy