Extending Python Syntax with @

"David MacQuigg" <dmq at gain.com> wrote in message
news:s2vu409dio5vc9ndl81dcinteagrkpntf5 at 4ax.com...
> Seems like we need a simple way to extend Python syntax that doesn't> break existing syntax or clash with any other syntax in Python, is> easy to type, easy to read, and is clearly distinct from the "base"> syntax.  Seems like we could put the @ symbol to good use in these> situations.  Examples:>> print @(separator = None) x, y, z>> @x,y:x*x+y*y    -- anonymous function>> @f(x,y)         -- generator function that can accept new arguments>                    with each call>> @x @y @z        -- short for instance variables in a method definition>> Each of these examples is debatable, but my point is that there are> many enhancement requests like this, and some may be worthy of> inclusion in the core language.  It would be nice if there was a> consistent way to add stuff like this.  It certainly beats adding ugly> statements like 'lambda'.>> It might even be possible to allow limited extension of the language> by users, provided the extensions are introduced by the special> symbol.  This would allow the flexibility of Ruby or Lisp without the> cost of forking the language into many dialects.>> Maybe we should collect a bunch of little enhancements like the above,> and put them all into one PEP.  Any suggestions?  Pet peeves?  Stuff> you would like to see, but not worthy of a PEP by itself?>> -- Dave>
Pet peeve: gratuitous inclusion of magic symbols into an otherwise
easy-to-understand language syntax.

-- Paul