>At 02:17 PM 5/12/2005, Bernard Lebel wrote: >>Just a generic question: why one would use apply()? >> >>In Learning Python, on page 357, there is an example of generating an >>instance using apply(): >> >>class A: >> def __init__( self, number ): >> self.number = number >> >>a = apply( A, 3 ) >>What is the benefit of doing this over simply creating an instance "the >>usual way": >>a = A( 3 ) > >No benefit. See 2.2 Non-essential Built-in Functions in the Python Library >Reference. 'Use of apply() is not necessary since the ``extended call >syntax,'' as used in the last example, is completely equivalent." > >Bob Gailer
Now, I am new to Python as well, but it seems like apply might not be completely superfluous. I was thinking that if one were using a functional programming style, and had to apply a function determined at runtime to an argument, then one could use this apply to do so. Granted, you could also have a dictionary of functions and call the function required as determined at runtime, but this is stylistically different. If I am off base on this, I would appreciate someone explaining why. That way I can learn this elegant language better. Regards, Gabe _______________________________________________ Tutor maillist - Tutor@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
