This has been an interesting discussion. On one hand, I look forward to
to trying out these interesting new features, but on the other hand, I
wonder if they're really worth what they will cost.
I have found python a fairly simple and pleasant language to learn.
I think its complexity is still just barely within the grasp of ordinary
programmers, unlike for example C++, which the ordinary person may use
but almost surely cannot fully comprehend. Rather than creep closer to
the edge of this problem, I'd prefer to see transaction programmers put
up with untidy code.
In this respect I found the original proposal (cf. Jim Fulton) at least
more generally interesting and less burdened with special magic member
functions. If that means setting the idea aside for a while, maybe
that's not entirely a bad thing.
Donn Cave, University Computing Services, University of Washington
donn@cac.washington.edu