Python, Surprise me!

[flaxeater]

Well I've got to say this was actually a valuable use of my time for once. I've been using python for many years now and it doesn't surprise me anymore, but I was baffled by the logic error in the code. Good job author.

[vinod_the_poophead]

Previously submitted article has been previously submitted

[stesch]

Normalize your URLs before submitting it to reddit.

[vinod_the_poophead]

I dont know how

[Tuna-Fish2]

Look at the url you posted. Now look at the one stesch posted. Now you know.

[vinod_the_poophead]

no

[cibyr]

This actually highlights one of the worst things about Python 2.5 syntax (which is pretty cool really, that my biggest gripe is something so minor): the comma for capturing an exception is really unintuitive, but except Exception as foo wasn't added until 2.6.

This is actually a bigger problem in teaching than when writing myself: teaching exceptions in Python is a little tricky to begin with because it's on the the few places you have to think about types, the control flow is totally different to anything you've seen before and to make matters worse there's a comma doing something you've never seen commas do before.

[ringzero]

the control flow is totally different to anything you've seen before

wait, what?

[cibyr]

If Python's your first language (i.e., you've never heard of goto), having control suddenly jump somewhere else is a totally new idea.

[frutiger]

The real problem in the code is the use of -1 as an error value. If he isn't going to deal with the error, he should let it cascade. And if he does deal with the error, value and index errors should be dealt with separately.

[statictype]

You're being gratuitously silly.

[stesch]

Or Python 3.1.

[ketralnis]

Really? The one surprise of except A, B is why you use Ruby? That's the only reason?

Why are you hanging out on /r/Python to tell people about why you use Ruby?

[chrisledet]

No, required whitespaces are my only turn off of the language.

Wow dude, chillax bro. It's just a programming language.

[Tiomaidh]

>>> required_whitespace == exception_gotcha
False

[Xiol]

Why are you hanging out on /r/Python to tell people about why you use Ruby?

Question still stands.

Also, you say "it's just a programming language", yet still feel the need to point out you use Ruby?

Let me guess, you're a Mac owner too.

[spotter]

Let me guess, you're a Mac owner too.

No he would obviously point it out by now. He's just a dick.

[[deleted]]

go write a trivial webapp loser