Why do some built-in Python functions feel so differently:
For example sum(), all(), any() expect exactly one argument which is a
sequence to operate on, i.e. a list, an iterator or a generator etc.
sum([1,2,3,4])
sum(range(1, 101))
sum(2**i for i in range(10))
all([True, False])
any(even, {1,2,3,4})
while other functions like set.union() and set.intersection() work on
a list of arguments but not on a sequence:
set.intersection({1,2,3}, {3,4,5})
but
set.union(map(...)) # does not work
set.intersection(list(...)) # does not work
and you have to use a * instead
set.union(*map(...))
etc.
Is this just for historical reason? And wouldn't it be possible and
desirable to have more consistency?
Steve
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