Steven D'Aprano wrote: > On Fri, 29 Dec 2006 08:20:22 -0600, Larry Bates wrote: > >> johnf wrote: >>> Hi, >>> When I use dir() I don't see the __ underscore items. Is there anything >>> that will show all the private vars and functions? >>> >>> johnf >> >> The idea of the underscore items is that they aren't to be used by >> you. > > Double leading+trailing underscore attributes are NOT private, they are > *special* but public (e.g. __dict__, __class__, __str__, etc.). If you > don't believe me, have a look at dir(int) and count the underscored > attributes listed. Then try to find __dict__, __name__, __bases__, > __base__ or __mro__ within the list. Why are they suppressed? > > But even if underscored attributes were private, the Python philosophy is > that private attributes are private by convention only -- even > name-mangled __private methods can be reached if you know how. > > >> If you wish to access private variables and functions you will >> almost certainly have to look at the source code to make sure of >> what they are and how they can be utilized. > > Not so. > >>>> class Parrot(object): > ... def _private(self): > ... """Private method, returns a magic string.""" > ... return "Don't touch!!!" > ... >>>> Parrot._private.__doc__ > "Private method, returns a magic string." > > > Ok then how do debug when I have something like "__source" and I need to know what is available for the object?
John -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
