Annoying octal notation

[Albert van der Horst]

In article <mailman.346.1251135629.2854.python-list at python.org>,
Derek Martin  <code at pizzashack.org> wrote:
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>On Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 05:03:28PM +0000, Steven D'Aprano wrote:
>> On Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:21:46 -0500, Derek Martin wrote:
>> > since the old syntax is prevalent both within and without the
>> > Python community, making the change is, was, and always will be a
>> > bad idea.
>>
>> Octal syntax isn't prevalent *at all*, except in a small number of
>> niche areas.
>
>Steven, don't be obtuse.  Where octal is used in programming, the
>leading zero is prevalent.

That is not the point. Octal is not prevalent. Leading zero's have
a mathematical sound meaning. The convention is changed because
every new user to Python will fall once into this trap.
For a person not familiar with C or the like this will be a
hair pulling, nail byting, head banging situation.
A mathematician might even think he is gone mad.

Regarding you, you will probably have noticed by now that it is
going to change, so you will not pull your hair, byte your nails
or bang your head. The more so because the new Python interpreter
will warn you with a nice friendly message.
The sacrifice asked from you is small, but all in all it is big win
for humanity at large.

>Derek D. Martin

Groetjes Albert

--
-- 
Albert van der Horst, UTRECHT,THE NETHERLANDS
Economic growth -- being exponential -- ultimately falters.
albert at spe&ar&c.xs4all.nl &=n http://home.hccnet.nl/a.w.m.van.der.horst