On Mon, May 11, 2015 at 2:44 AM, Chris Angelico <ros...@gmail.com> wrote: > On Mon, May 11, 2015 at 5:12 AM, boB Stepp <robertvst...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> Common Python thought:: "We're all adults here." If you want to override >>> a builtin within your own namespace, who are we to stop you? >> >> I'm surprised that this thought has not been added to the "Zen Of >> Python", as I see it as more and more recurrent as I continue my >> studies. What I would like to comprehend is what is the essential >> mindset of Python? That is, what do I need to understand, so that I am >> no longer likely to be surprised by discovering new possibilities in >> Python such as what the current thread is discussing? > > The Zen of Python is a static document, a historical artifact of a > sort. But in terms of understanding the philosophy of Python, "we're > all adults here" is a big part of it. Once you grok the notion that > nothing can be prevented, you're freed from such considerations as: > > * Obfuscating, encrypting, or otherwise hiding your source code > * Private members with restricted access > * Strict type checking, to prevent someone passing in a wrong piece of data > * Prevention of monkey-patching > > etc, etc, etc. In actual fact, anyone can bypass any restriction, in > any language; and Python is just more open/honest about it than > languages like C++; for instance, instead of having true private > members where the compiler stops you from looking at or changing them, > Python gives you single-underscore-named attributes, where nobody > stops you from doing anything, but there's a general understanding > that they're not governed by the usual compatibility rules, so > upgrading a library might break your code. Happy with that? Go ahead > then, use the internals.
Thanks, Chris, that helps a lot. It seems that beyond being a programming language, Python has a well-established culture that suggests how the language should be used. I am gathering that understanding the language and embracing the existing culture are needed to use Python in the way it is meant to be used, though the language design allows *other* ways, too. > Hakuna matata, what a wonderful phrase. Indeed! And a good way to start my Monday morning. -- boB -- https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
