python adds an extra half space when reading from a string or list

[rurpy at yahoo.com]

On 07/02/2013 07:24 PM, Steven D'Aprano wrote:
>[...]
> On the other hand, I've certainly learned a lot in my newbie days from 
> being told off quite harshly by some of the Python community alphas, like 
> the Effbot Fredrik Lundh, and Alex Martelli. It hurts to be told you're 
> an idiot by one of the alphas, but sometimes you need to be told you're 
> an idiot[1]. Even if you're not, realising that others think you are 
> builds character[2].

True, for some people, some times.  As your [2] footnote admits
it can be damaging as well.  I have noticed that the ratio of
female to mail posters here (at least as I can guess from names)
seems far lower than the same ratio of programmers where I've 
worked.  I asked a female programmer once why she didn't use 
groups like c.l.p. and she cited harshness and bickering as the 
main reason.  Obviously a sample of one doesn't prove anything 
but...

Effbot was around when I first started reading c.l.p and
although I immediately recognized his contributions to and 
knowledge of python, I always questioned whether his positive 
contributions weren't negated by his negative ones.  (Consider 
how many positive things he contributed <i>that wouldn't have 
been mentioned by someone else had he not posted them</i>, 
versus the disruption caused in reaction to his attitude.)

>[...]
> [2] Sometimes it builds stronger, better character. Sometimes it builds 
> weaker, broken character. It's all character.