Brython - Python in the browser

[Terry Reedy]

> On Thu, Dec 20, 2012 at 8:37 PM, Pierre Quentel
> <pierre.quentel at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I'm afraid I am going to disagree. The document is a tree
>> structure, and today Python doesn't have a syntax for easily
>> manipulating trees.

What Python does have is 11 versions of the augmented assignment 
statement: +=, -=, *=, /=, //=, %=, **=, >>=, <<=, &=, ^=, |=.
Moreover, these are *intended* to be implemented in place, by mutation, 
for mutable objects, with possibly class-specific meanings.

 >> To add a child to a node, using an operator
>> instead of a function call saves a lot of typing ;

We agree. Just use the proper sort of operator. I believe you said 
elsewhere that you *are* using one augmented assignment, +=, to add a 
sibling. That is a proper use. I am saying to use another to add a child.

<= is a comparison expression operator, which is completely different. 
It is just wrong for this usage. I am 99.9% sure you will come to regret 
it eventually. Better to make the change now than in Brython2 or Brython3.

 >> <= looks like a
>> left arrow, which is a visual indication of the meaning "receive as
>> child". |= doesn't have this arrow shape

If you want to talk shape, I could argue that you should use -= for 
adding a sibling (horizontal link, -) and |= for adding a child 
(vertical link, |). Since you probably want to stick with += and like 
the 'arrowness' of <=, use the augmented assignment operator <<= instead 
of comparison operator <=.

-- 
Terry Jan Reedy