[Tutor] if n == 0 vs if not n

[Vern Ceder]

Dave Angel wrote:

>>> Now in this case where it is only used as boolean checks which would be
>>> the most pythonic way if writing these checks?
>>>
>>
> The shorter version may be preferable, but it doesn't generally give the 
> same results.  Without knowing the possible data, these substitutions 
> are not safe.
> 
> For example, replacing       "if not n == 0"    with     "if n"
> 
> will give different results for values of "", []   and so on.     It 
> WILL work if you know that n is an int or float, however.
> 
> DaveA

True, I took the OP's statement that they were to be used "only as 
boolean checks" to mean that there was no type mixing going on. 
Personally, I would say that checking a list or string for equality (or 
lack thereof) with 0 is even less "preferable". ;)

Otherwise, one would at least prefer "if n != 0" to "if not n == 0", I 
would think.

Cheers, Vern
-- 
This time for sure!
    -Bullwinkle J. Moose
-----------------------------
Vern Ceder, Director of Technology
Canterbury School, 3210 Smith Road, Ft Wayne, IN 46804
vceder at canterburyschool.org; 260-436-0746; FAX: 260-436-5137