Unicode in Python

[Rustom Mody]

On Tuesday, April 22, 2014 11:41:56 AM UTC+5:30, Steven D'Aprano wrote:
> On Mon, 21 Apr 2014 20:57:39 -0700, Rustom Mody wrote:

> > As a unicode user (ok wannabe unicode user :D ) Ive written up some
> > unicode ideas that have been discussed here in the last couple of weeks:
> > http://blog.languager.org/2014/04/unicoded-python.html

> What you are talking about is not handling Unicode with Python, but 
> extending the programming language to allow non-English *letters* to be 
> used as if they were *symbols*.

> That's very problematic, since it assumes that nobody would ever want to 
> use non-English letters in an alphanumeric context. You write:

>     [quote]
>     Now to move ahead!
>     We dont[sic] want

>     >>> λ = 1
>     >>> λ
>     1

>     We want

>     >>> (λx : x+1)(2)
>     3
>     [end quote]


> (Speak for yourself.) But this is a problem. Suppose I want to use a 
> Greek word as a variable, as Python allows me to do:

> λόγος = "a word"

> Or perhaps as the parameter to a function. Take the random.expovariate 
> function, which currently takes an argument "lambd" (since lambda is a 
> reserved word). I might write instead:

> def expovariate(self, λ): ...

> After all, λ is an ordinary letter of the (Greek) alphabet, why shouldn't 
> it be used in variable names? But if "λx" is syntax for "lambda x", then 
> I'm going to get syntax errors:

> λόγος = "a word"
> => like:  lambda όγος = "a word"

> def expovariate(self, λ):
> => like:  def expovariate(self, lambda):

> both of which are obviously syntax errors.

> This is as hostile to Greek-using programmers as deciding that "f" should 
> be reserved for functions would be to English-using programmers:

> # space between the f and the function name is not needed
> fspam(x, y):
>     ...

> class Thingy:
>     f__init__(selF):
>         ...
>     fmethod(selF, arg):
>         return arg + 1

> Notice that I can't even write "self" any more, since that gives a syntax 
> error. Presumable "if" is okay, as it is a keyword.

> Using Unicode *symbols* rather than non-English letters is less of a 
> problem, since they aren't valid in identifiers.

Ok point taken.

So instead of using λ (0x3bb) we should use  𝝀 (0x1d740)  or something thereabouts like 𝜆