On 11/05/2011 20:13, Hans Georg Schaathun wrote:
On Wed, 11 May 2011 12:17:33 -0700, Ethan Furman
<et...@stoneleaf.us> wrote:
: 'if li' *is* KISS.
It /might/ be in some contexts, but a priori it is not, as it
superimposes a truth value on a data type which is otherwise
a pretty accurate model of real objects (outside python).
One principle of object oriented programming is to bestow the
objects with properties reflecting known properties from the
domain being modelled. Lists do not have truth values in the
application domain, and therefore truth values in the
implementation domain is complicated.
Exactly. Its just a convention. If it exists, its true, if if doesn't
its false.
In the "real world" lists of zero items do not exist.
You don't go shopping with a shopping list of zero items.
You don't take a journey going nowhere.
You wouldn't have a party and invite nobody.
What kind of building is one with zero floors?
Would you have an Aircraft Carrier with no aircraft?
Oh Wait - the UK has one of those coming into service soon.
Regards
Ian
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