learning python ...

[Michael F. Stemper]

On 24/05/2021 18.30, Alan Gauld wrote:
> On 24/05/2021 16:54, Michael F. Stemper wrote:
> 
>> In my early days of writing python, I created lists named "list",
>> dictionaries named "dict", and strings named "str". I mostly know better
>> now, but sometimes still need to restrain my fingers.
> 
> I think most newbie programmers make that mistake. I certainly
> did when learning Pascal back in the 80's.
> 
> But I was lucky, the tutorials were run by a guy who penalized
> bad variable names severely and took a half-mark off for every
> bad name. We very quickly learned to choose names that were
> descriptive of the purpose rather than the type.

And when I write code that models something physical, I'll create
an object with attributes named after the real-world attributes
that such an object has. For instance, a generator (NOT in the
python sense) might have attributes such as:
RealPower
ReactivePower
IncrementalCostCurve (an object all on its own)
DispatchedPower

But, when I mess around with number theory, if I need a dict
that has naturals as keys and their aliquot sums as values, it's
easy enough to fall into that trap; especially if I already have
a function AliquotSum() that populates the dictionary as it grows.


-- 
Michael F. Stemper
Deuteronomy 10:18-19