Patrick Maupin wrote:
Actually, I think I overstated my case -- there is some special logic for len and built-in objects, I think.
Yes, len() invokes the C-level sq_len slot of the type object, which for built-in types points directly to the C function implementing the len() operation for that type. So len() on a string doesn't involve looking up a __len__ attribute or creating a bound method at all. The only reason a __len__ attribute exists at all for built-in types is to give Python code the illusion that C-coded and Python-coded classes work the same way. Most of the time it's never used. If you try the same test using a method that doesn't have a corresponding type slot (basically anything without a double_underscore name) you will probably see a small improvement. -- Greg -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
