Style Q: Instance variables defined outside of __init__

[Neil Cerutti]

On 2018-03-20, Rick Johnson <rantingrickjohnson at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 6:14:34 AM UTC-5, Alister wrote:
>> On Tue, 20 Mar 2018 08:52:29 +0000, Steven D'Aprano wrote:
>> > On Tue, 20 Mar 2018 02:43:13 -0400, Terry Reedy wrote:
>> > 
>> > > I think a claim that in all programs all attributes
>> > > should be set *in* __init__, as opposed to *during*
>> > > initialization, is wrong.  All attribute setting is side-
>> > > effect from a functional view (and usually 'bad' to a
>> > > functionalist).  There is no reason to not delegate some
>> > > of it to sub-init functions when it makes sense to do do.
>> > > There is good reason to do so when it makes the code
>> > > easier to understand *and test*.
>> > 
>> > That is really well said Terry, thank you for articulating
>> > what I was thinking but couldn't find the words for.
>> 
>> but why would a functional programmer be programming an OOP
>> class?
>
> The question does indeed beg, but we're not allowed to
> question mandates form "on high", we are simply required to
> follow them.
>
> IOWs, "Do as they _say_, not as logic dictates"

The Introduction to Computer Science class I'm taking divided
program design into two categories: Top Down Design, and Object
Oriented Design. It's good, because it reminded me of the wisdom
of dividing memory into Random Access and Read Only.

My automotive course will probaly divide cars into Automatic
Transmission, and Front Wheel Drive.

-- 
Neil Cerutti