On Sun, Mar 14, 2021 at 10:55 PM Ethan Furman <et...@stoneleaf.us> wrote:
> I completely agree with this. One of the hallmarks of Python is the > ability to query, introspect, and modify Python code. It helps with > debugging, with experimenting, with fixing. Indeed, one of the few > frustrating bits about Python is the inability to work with the C portions > as easily as the Python portions (note: I am /not/ suggesting we do away > with the C portions). > > What would be the benefits of locking down modules in this way? I owe you an answer here. For large projects with long lifetimes that expect their API to evolve, experience has taught that any part of the API that *can* be used *will* be used, even if it was clearly not intended to be used. And once enough users have code that depends on reaching into some private part of a package and using a method or attribute that was available even though it was undocumented or even clearly marked as "internal" or "private", if an evolution of the package wants to remove that method or attribute (or rename it or change its type, signature or semantics/meaning), those users will complain that the package "broke their code" by making a "backwards incompatible change." For a casually maintained package that may not be a big deal, but for a package with serious maintainers this can prevent ordered evolution of the API, especially since a package's developers may not always be aware of how their internal attributes/methods are being used or perceived by users. So experienced package developers who are planning for the long term are always looking for ways to prevent such situations (because it is frustrating for both users and maintainers). Being able to lock down the exported symbols is just one avenue to prevent disappointment in the future. -- --Guido van Rossum (python.org/~guido) *Pronouns: he/him **(why is my pronoun here?)* <http://feministing.com/2015/02/03/how-using-they-as-a-singular-pronoun-can-change-the-world/>
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