Many a python programmer have tired to see code written like:
def bar(a1, a2, options=None):
if options is None:
options = {}
... # rest of function
syntax if argument is not passed, evaluate {} and store to options
def foo(options:={}): pass
syntax if argument is not passed or is None, evaluate {} and store to options*
def foo(options?={}): pass
The Zen of Python states "there shouldn't be two ways to do the same thing."
Thus, only one of ":=" or "?=" should be adopted. They should be evalued on:
- Which encourages writing better code?
- Which catches mistakes easier?
Do we want to encourage callers to pass None to indicate default arguments?
spam = { data: True } if arg else None
bar(a1, a2, param=spam)
versus
bar(a1, a2, { data: True }) if arg else bar(a1, a2)
versus
_ = foo.curry(a1, a2)
_({data: True}) if arg else _(a1, a2)
Since Python is a strongly typed language, it seems more consistent to me that
this code should throw an error:
def getoptions():
... # code to get options
# whoops! missing return statement
#return os.environ
foo(a1, a2, param=getoptions())
:= should be adopted because it catches mistakes more quickly.
On the other hand, ?= replaces the "if kwarg is not None: kwarg = ..." idiom.
(I propose adopting only ":=". I show "?=" as a strawman.)
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