October 07, 2010
Denis Koroskin Wrote:


> That's because Python is not a strictly typed language. With proper type propagation compiler helps you writing code the way in meant to be. E.g. the following:
> 
> (a, b, c, d) = ('tuple', 'of', 'three')
> 
> could be statically disabled, but there is nothing wrong with allowing it either: d would be just a no-op, you will know it for sure the moment you try using it.

Python has the special symbol "_" which is used exactly as a no-op (you could call it "foo" it you wanted, but "_" doesn't create new memory assignments) so you can expand arbitrary tuples without creating new symbols:

a, b, c, _ = ('tuple', 'of', 'three')

I like the proposal for D, but I fear it could be a source of bugs (you expect the tuple to expand to 4 values
 but silently is expanding to only 3, leaving the fourth unchangued).