Experiences/guidance on teaching Python as a first programming language

[Terry Reedy]

On 12/18/2013 3:18 AM, Steven D'Aprano wrote:

> We don't know what locals()['spam'] = 42 will do inside a function,

I am mystified that you would write this. Locals() will "Update and 
return a dictionary representing the current local symbol table." The 
only thing unspecified is the relation between the 'current local symbol 
table' and the *dict* that 'represents' it. Given that a dict is 
returned, the rest is unambiguous.

> unlike the C case, we can reason about it:
>
> - it may bind 42 to the name "spam";

"somedict['spam'] = 42" will do exactly that.

> - it may raise a runtime exception;

Absolutely not.

> - it may even be a no-op;

Absolutely not.

-- 
Terry Jan Reedy