[Types-sig] What is the Essence of Python?

[Golden, Howard]

Greg Stein wrote:

> On Wed, 15 Dec 1999, Paul Prescod wrote:

> > "Golden, Howard" wrote:

> > > I reiterate that we should define what is the essence of Python, so we
know
> > > what sort of dynamicism and flexibility we are trying to preserve, and
what
> > > is superfluous.  Until we do this, we are dealing with a squishy set
of
> > > requirements.

> > I think that that is always the case in language design. What one person
> > hates is what another loves: even in Python! I don't know how to answer
> > your question. I think that we can only argue about particular features
> > "when we get to them."
 
> I agree. It is like asking somebody to describe the color "blue" :-)
 
> I think there is a yardstick in there somewhere, that you can hold up to a
> feature or design and say "that's Pythonic" or "that's not". But it is
> very subjective and incapable of being described...

This reminds me of the judge's comment that he couldn't define obscenity,
but he knew it when he saw it.  Unfortunately, it's also not very useful in
communicating between people.  I hope some of you will make an extra effort
to help newbies like me!

- Howard