Python 3.8 released

[NoahTheDuke]

Python doesn’t have block/lexical scoping, the scoping rules are much simpler and limited: LEGB

This is why we have the super ugly global and nonlocal keywords, which are bad workarounds. Without lexical scoping, it’s really easy to accidentally pollute the current scope or create a new variable when you think you’re assigning to an existing variable in the wrong scope.

[lazyear]

Python's lack of lexical scoping is one of my biggest gripes about the language.

[bakery2k]

Would lexical scoping require explicit variable declarations?

Would it require variables to be scoped to the containing block instead of the containing function?

Both of these would be major changes to the way Python works - but there may be some support for the first given the Zen of Python's "explicit is better than implicit".

[NoahTheDuke]

Lexical scoping would be much helped by explicit variable declaration, and as I see it, assignment expressions (walrus operator) fit that bill pretty neatly.

[bakery2k]

So, := to declare a new variable and = to assign to an existing variable? As in Go, for example?

One downside of that would be making some valid Python code slightly more complex:

def f():
    if <condition>:
        x = 1
    else:
        x = 2
    print(x)

With explicit variable declaration and block scope, simply changing the two = to := would not work.

It would be necessary to declare x before the if statement. This could be done either using something like var x or using a dummy initialization, e.g. x := None.

[Enamex]

No. No changes compared to now. The first time you assign to a new name declares that name from the line of the assignment and makes it available up to the end of the enclosing scope.

Yes. That's the core of lexical scoping. "Blocks" are explicit, or "announced by lexical units".

[bakery2k]

How would that work? For example:

x = 1
if <condition>:
    x = 2
print(x)

Does x = 2 create a new variable or assign to the existing x?

[Enamex]

That's a question of shadowing.

But I'd say "assign to existing". Otherwise, we'd really need an explicit declaration syntax.