confused about the different built-in functions in Python
Deb Wyatt
codemonkey at inbox.com
Mon May 26 11:15:53 EDT 2014
<snip>
>
> On 5/25/14 7:55 PM, Deb Wyatt wrote:
>> I am confused about how various built-in functions are called. Some are
>> called with dot notation
>>
<snip
>>> How do you know/remember which way to call them?
>>
>> TIA,
>> Deb in WA, USA
>
> It can be confusing. Generally, built-in functions (like sum, len, etc)
> are used when the operation could apply to many different types. For
> example, sum() can be used with any iterable that produces addable
> things.
>
> Operations that are defined only for a single type (like .isalpha as a
> string operation) are usually defined as methods on the type.
>
> This is not a black/white distinction, I'm sure there are interesting
> counter-examples. But this is the general principle.
>
> --
> Ned Batchelder, http://nedbatchelder.com
>
> --
> https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Thank you for answering. I meant to send this to the tutor list, but messed up. So, I guess there isn't a magic answer to this one, and I'll learn as I learn the language. Have a great day.
Deb in WA, USA
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