> I don't mean to insult anyone, but I've heard and read all the arguments > against Python's truth-testing, and they >don't impress me in the slightest. Most of them strike me as silly. The only >argument that carries any weight to me is >one which I haven't seen anyone raise:
>"if x:" turns something which arguably could have been a mistake ("oops, I >forgot to write the condition!") into valid >code. The only problem I have had with the "if x:" notation is when I have values that might be empty lists, empty strings, None, or a boolean value being returned from the same source. But this is probably an instance when a good programmer would explicitly check the type instead of the naive "if x:" notation. On the other hand, as a fairly n00b Python (and n00b Perl) developer, I find the notation "if not x:" to be far more English readable than "if x==None or len(x)== 0 or x==0 or bool(x):" (or some derivative/combination of those). Ramit Ramit Prasad | JPMorgan Chase Investment Bank | Currencies Technology 712 Main Street | Houston, TX 77002 work phone: 713 - 216 - 5423 This communication is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument or as an official confirmation of any transaction. All market prices, data and other information are not warranted as to completeness or accuracy and are subject to change without notice. Any comments or statements made herein do not necessarily reflect those of JPMorgan Chase & Co., its subsidiaries and affiliates. This transmission may contain information that is privileged, confidential, legally privileged, and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the information contained herein (including any reliance thereon) is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Although this transmission and any attachments are believed to be free of any virus or other defect that might affect any computer system into which it is received and opened, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that it is virus free and no responsibility is accepted by JPMorgan Chase & Co., its subsidiaries and affiliates, as applicable, for any loss or damage arising in any way from its use. If you received this transmission in error, please immediately contact the sender and destroy the material in its entirety, whether in electronic or hard copy format. Thank you. Please refer to http://www.jpmorgan.com/pages/disclosures for disclosures relating to European legal entities. -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list