The � debate

[Mark H Harris]

On 5/9/14 8:34 PM, Steven D'Aprano wrote:
>> Nobody seems to complain about using the term "assigment" in relation to
>> Python, despite it meaning something a bit different from what it means
>> in some other languages, so I don't see anything wrong with using the
>> term "variable" with the above definition.
>
> What differences in assignment are you referring to?
>
> In any case, the issue is whether or not the misunderstanding leads to
> confusion or not.
>
    That's really the question --- regarding the issue of 'variable' and 
assignment.

    The term 'variable' (assignment) typically means: the LHS (name) of 
an assignment where the coder is placing some 'type' (RHS) into a chunk 
of memory statically defined, or dynamically malloc'd.

    With Python the assignment term 'variable' means: the LHS (name) is 
now associated with (bound to) an object (RHS), regardless whether the 
object already exists or whether the object is being constructed, nor 
what kind or type the object may be. The coder is not concerned with the 
memory model, nor address, nor reference.

    So for Python variable names are object handles.

    I've been reading through the python docs today (the FAQ mostly) and 
noting that python has variables BIG TIME as far as the docs go.


marcus