Boolean tests [was Re: Attack a sacred Python Cow]

[Erik Max Francis]

Carl Banks wrote:

> Bull.  This is a request, that, if satisfied, would prove that "if x"
> is more polymorphic than a simple explicit test.  I posed the question
> precisely to see if anyone could come up with a use case that shows
> this benefit of "if x".

Except you're the only one who's not convinced of it, and it's your 
test, and your rules.  So who cares?

>> "if x" _is_ a completely simple
>> test.  Simpler, in fact, than the ones you were advocating.
> 
> It's not explicit.

It's not explicit enough for you, yes, that much is obvious.  Contests 
that rely on mind-reading aren't too much fun for anyone involved.

> I've explained why I doubt that it helps polymorphism that much: you
> almost never see code for which an integer and list both work, so
> having the ability to spell a test the same way for both types isn't
> useful.  If you claim that "if x" does help polymorphism, please tell
> me what's wrong with the above analysis.

It helps polymorphism for types other that (say) numerics and sequences. 
  There are plenty of container objects for which an "is this 
non-empty?" test is far simpler a "how many objects are in this 
container?" test, and several examples have already been given -- as in, 
O(1) vs. O(n) complexity or worse.  You've seem to have even 
acknowledged this, but are still insisting on continuing the challenge. 
  You're drawing an artificial line in the sand to compare length 
computation to a more specialized non-emptiness test.  (And, as I've 
pointed out, what happens if you're dealing with a sequence type that 
_doesn't_ have a length?  Then certainly `len(x) != 0` is nonsensical.)

Perhaps in the particular use case you're thinking of (numeric types vs. 
container types), there aren't any good examples.  But who cares? 
Polymorphism applies in more than just this one special case.  You're 
setting up a challenge that isn't very interesting, and which is rigged 
so that no one can win because you're the one who.  So, what's the point?

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