Dunder [was Re: __init__ is the initialiser]

[Chris Angelico]

On Sat, Feb 1, 2014 at 1:52 PM, Steven D'Aprano
<steve+comp.lang.python at pearwood.info> wrote:
> "Constructor" is three syllables; "ctor" isn't readily pronounceable in
> English at all, rather like Cthulhu. (I can't think of any standard
> English words with a "CT" in them at all, let alone at the start of the
> word). The best I can come up with is "KUH TOR" or possibly "SEE TOR",
> both of which are clumsy, and only save a single syllable.

May I tactfully suggest that searching the abstract of a dictionary
for the letters 'ct' would be a useful action here. Actually, you
could collect a compact list of words containing "ct", and maybe even
concoct a paragraph of text that conflicts with the theory that this
is a rare conjunction of characters. Hopefully this will convict you
of the correctness of what I am saying - though it does not at all
deduct from your main point to the effect that few or no English words
would be depicted *starting* with these letters. I mean no disrespect
to you, Steven, but in dissecting your words, I expect myself to
exactly demonstrate the imperfect (I won't say "incorrect", as I don't
have a doctorate in this) information here, to ensure that it does not
infect the structure of python-list. We are all persons of intellect,
and we know how to interact without getting intractable; all I want to
do is offer an introduction to the results of grep|less, not to give a
lecture. I apologize if this comes across harshly, but the neglect of
manners may be a consequence of my nocturnal exertions of late, with
the objective of removing all obstructions to converting to Linux
before I'm an octogenarian. [1] Let us make a pact to view matters
from each other's perspective, as we picture a more practical
projection of life, with a reasonable prospect of rejecting
unpleasantness and resurrecting the on-topic discussions that we might
otherwise have. In retrospect, I perhaps shouldn't have started
writing this, and it may be time to impose sanctions on me for not
being more selective in my use o English; this is becoming a
spectacular flop, a spectre to haunt me. Strictly between ourselves,
wordplay is a subject which (I suspect) is unattractive to many, but
it would be uncharacteristic of me to refrain. I leave the final
verdict up to you: are you the victims of a horrible plot, or will
your vindictive anger be turned aside?

Ahem.

I'd probably pronounce it "k'tor", like your first option but with a
really short schwa in there; or - more likely - I'd spell it "ctor"
and pronounce it "constructor".

ChrisA

[1] Okay, that one's really pushing it.