kj wrote:
I think I understand the answers well enough. What I *really* don't understand is why this particular "feature" of Python (i.e. that functions defined within a class statement are forbidden from "seeing" other identifiers defined within the class statement) is generally considered to be perfectly OK. IMO it's a bizarre, inexplicable blindspot (which, among other things, gives rise to a certain worry about what other similar craziness lurks under Python's image of rationality). I have never seen even a half-hearted justification, from a language design point of view, for why this particular "feature" is worth having. Maybe some day the BDFL will deign to give one.
I attempted to give an explanation in my previous post. -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list