On 02/25/2013 06:45 AM, Eli Bendersky wrote:
2) When you do, wrapping the item in int() doesn't seem too bad to me.
If it was just once or twice, sure, but I use them as names for ints, which
means I use them as ints, which means I
would have a boat load of int() calls.
Personally I don't see "name for ints" as being the main use case for enums.
I must admit I find it mildly amusing (but a lot frustrating) that we are talk about /enumerations/ not needing to be
based on ints. Checking out Merrian-Webster gives this:
Definition of ENUMERATE
1
: to ascertain the number of : count
2
: to specify one after another : list
Python even has an enumerate function, and what does it do? Gives us an int to
associate with some item in an iterator.
Now we're talking about adding an official Enum class, but the int portion is
unnecessary and a pain to use?
For preparing the draft PEP I ran through
some stdlib, Twisted and personal code and there are *tons* of places that just
need a simple enum for some sort of
"state", meaningful return value, or similar. That's really where you need
enums the most, and really where their values
don't matter.
And if, in those places, the enums were based on ints (or strings), would it hurt you? Because in the places where I,
as well as many others, use enums we *need* the int portion; and having to wrap the enum in an int() call is seven extra
keystrokes (minor) and a heap of visual clutter (major), destroying any value the enum was supposed to have.
I prefer to have a good solution to one problem than a poorer solution that
tries to cover two unrelated problems. For
"names for ints", Nick's named value proposal seems more relevant, but why mix
the two together?
Again:
Definition of ENUMERATE
1
: to ascertain the number of : count
2
: to specify one after another : list
--
~Ethan~
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