[Python-Dev] PEP 204 - Range Literals
Paul Prescod
paul@prescod.net
Tue, 18 Jul 2000 19:37:29 -0500
Should range literals create a list of the passed-in type ? It
might be desirable in the cases of other builtin types, such as
longs and strings:
>>> [ 1L : 2L<<64 : 2<<32L ]
>>> ["a":"z":"b"]
>>> ["a":"z":2]
However, this might be too much `magic' to be obvious.
Well the step argument is of debatable utility for strings but ["0":"9"]
seems mildly useful. Also, it makes sense to create a range of floating
point numbers.
If we were going to do this, we would probably have an overloadable
operator:
string.__range__( start=None, end=None, step=None )
It could return a sequence of whatever kind.
I'm not clear why we can't implement it as a function call to
__builtins__.range .
--
Paul Prescod - Not encumbered by corporate consensus
Just how compassionate can a Republican get before he has to leave the
GOP and join Vegans for Global Justice? ... One moment, George W. Bush
is holding a get-to-know-you meeting with a bunch of gay Republicans.
The next he is holding forth on education or the environment ... It is
enough to make a red-blooded conservative choke on his spotted-owl
drumstick. - April 29th, Economist