<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 ____________________________________________________________ FREE 3D EARTH SCREENSAVER - Watch the Earth right on your desktop! Check it out at http://www.inbox.com/earth -- https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
