On Mon, May 14, 2018 at 9:20 AM, Python <pyt...@bladeshadow.org> wrote: > On Sun, May 13, 2018 at 02:42:48PM +1000, Chris Angelico wrote: >> On Sun, May 13, 2018 at 2:31 PM, Python <pyt...@bladeshadow.org> wrote: >> >> Yes, and I'd go further: I *am* too stupid to get this right. >> > >> > No, you are not. Do you ever say "dog" when you mean "dot" instead? >> > Do you ever say "dad" when you mean "mom" instead? Internalize that >> > "=" is "equals" (or "assigns" if you prefer) and "==" is "is equal to" >> > then use those phrases in your head when you're thinking about which >> > one you need in your code, and I'm pretty sure you'll stop making this >> > mistake. It may help that the phrase with twice as many syllables >> > represents the operator that has twice as many characters. Eventually >> > it becomes second nature, like not calling Dad "Mom." >> >> Riiiight, of course. Because prevention of bugs is just a matter of >> wanting to. > > Preventing *certain classes* of bugs, mainly botching syntax, is mostly > just a matter of wanting to, like a piano virtuoso who can play > complicated pieces night after night flawlessly. It just takes focus > and practice. Preventing the = vs. == bug is nowhere near as > complex or difficut as La Campanella, so you don't even need to be a > virtuoso. You just have to be mindful and careful.
I'm reminded of the first bullet point of step 6 in this article, which just crossed my inbox this morning: https://www.e4developer.com/2018/05/13/how-to-write-horrible-java/ -- https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
