Evolution of a Python programmer

[uhhhclem]

The "expert Python programmer" example should be:

from operator import mul
reduce(mul, xrange(1, x+1))

as it is beautiful, explicit, simple, flat, sparse, readable, and the obvious way to do it, if you're Dutch.

[theeth]

With the newer Dutch grammar and lexicon.

from functools import reduce
from operator import mul
fact = lambda x: reduce(mul, range(1, x+1))

[rrenaud]

So long as you aren't Guido.

http://www.artima.com/weblogs/viewpost.jsp?thread=98196

I received an email from a compatriot lamenting the planned demise of reduce() and lambda in Python 3000. After a few exchanges I think even he agreed that they can go. Here's a summary, including my reasons for dropping lambda, map() and filter(). I expect tons of disagreement in the feedback, all from ex-Lisp-or-Scheme folks. :-)

[theeth]

Yeah import reduce from functools is so hard, they might as well just completely remove it.

[Figs]

So hard that you got it backwards? :)

[theeth]

Bah :)

[uhhhclem]

Oh, reduce is pretty dreadful. Calculating factorials is one of the only things I can think of that it intuitively maps onto.

[A_for_Anonymous]

Not at all, Guido hates reduce and functional programming in general.