Borg vs Singleton vs OddClass

[Lie]

On Sep 28, 9:45 am, Steven D'Aprano <st... at REMOVE-THIS-
cybersource.com.au> wrote:
> On Sat, 27 Sep 2008 11:12:00 -0700, Lie wrote:
> > This is probably unrelated to Python, as this is more about design
> > pattern. I'm asking your comments about this design pattern that is
> > similar in functionality to Singleton and Borg: to share states.
>
> > I'm thinking about this design pattern (I don't know if anyone has ever
> > thought of this pattern before):
>
> > class OddClass(object):
> >     def __init__(self):
> >         global OddClass
> >         OddClass = self
> >     def __call__():
> >         return self
>
> I don't think that pattern works as you give it. I suggest you read the
> thread "What do you call a class not intended to be instantiated",
> started by me on the 21st of September, which covers a similar pattern.

In fact, that thread inspired this thread.

> I'm afraid it's a rather long thread, with a lot of people
> misunderstanding what I was asking, but still worth reading. If you only
> have time to read one post, I suggest you read my reply to Ben Finney,
> posted yesterday.

... before I decided probably this pattern is probably isn't the
answer to that thread.

> My own feeling is that both your OddClass and my class without instances
> are probably solutions looking for a problem. Well, actually, no, that's
> too strong: I think the concept of "Class Singleton" is a perfectly valid
> solution to certain problems, but it competes with more well-known
> solutions like modules and Borg (in Python) and Singletons (the hammer
> available in Java and C++). As for which is better, that's partly a
> matter of personal taste and partly a matter of familiarity.
>
> > It do have a problem though, that you can't do isinstance(a, OddClass)
>
> But you can say "a is OddClass", which is more appropriate for a
> Singleton.
>
> > The problem with Borg is that it is not inheritable (in certain
> > sense[1]) and only work with old-style class (which is due to be
> > completely removed on py3k)[2]
>
> No, there is a new-style Borg. Read the comments here:http://code.activestate.com/recipes/66531/
>
> The new-style Borg is hardly more complicated than old-style: 6 lines
> versus 4.