[Python-ideas] Replacing the if __name__ == "__main__" idiom (was Re: making a module callable)

[MRAB]

On 25/11/2013 22:25, אלעזר wrote:
>
>
>
> 2013/11/24 Guido van Rossum <guido at python.org <mailto:guido at python.org>>
>  >
>  > if is_main():
>  >     <do your main code>
>  >
>
> How about going the other way around?
>
>      if imported():
>          break
>
>      <do your main code>
>
> Most of the time, people put the main stuff at the end of the script, so
> this check can serve as a seperator, equivalent to what is sometimes
> marked with '***********************' - snip the script here.
>
> Of course, it is still possible to do
>
>      if not imported():
>          main()
>
> I think it is at least as obvious as is_main(), and even more so for
> those without a C-like background.
>
> (Personally I'd prefer an `imported` magic variable but I guess that's
> out of question).
>
Instead of "imported", how about "import"? That already exists as a
reserved word and its use outside an import statement is currently
illegal:

     if not import:
         main()