[Python-ideas] aliasing

[Steven D'Aprano]

Peio Borthelle wrote:

>>>> a = 2
>>>> b = alias("a")
>>>> a = 'foo'
>>>> b
> 'foo'


I have often thought that would be a nice to have feature, but to be 
honest, I have never found a use for it that was absolutely necessary. I 
have always found another way to solve the problem.

You can always use one level of indirection:

a = [2]
b = a
a[0] = 'foo'  # Not a='foo'
b[0]
=> print 'foo'

To make it work using just ordinary assignment syntax, as you suggest, 
requires more than just an "alias" function. It would need changes to 
the Python internals. Possibly very large changes. Without a convincing 
use-case, I don't think that will happen.

So even though I think this would be a neat feature to have, and 
possibly even useful, I don't think it is useful enough to justify the 
work needed to make it happen.




-- 
Steven