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open is not obsolete (was Re: understanding self

Colin J. Williams cjw at sympatico.ca
Thu Jul 8 08:07:30 EDT 2004 
Delaney, Timothy C (Timothy) wrote:

> Jeff Shannon wrote:
> 
> 
>>Okay, perhaps "legacy" is a better term than "obsolete".  In either
>>case, it's recommended that it not be used in new code, even if there
>>is no current plan to remove it.  Not that the specifics of this case
>>are particularly germane to the point I was making...
> 
> 
> As mentioned by Tony, this is not the case. From python-dev:
> 
> 
>>>Then should the following line in the reference be changed?
>>>
>>>"The file() constructor is new in Python 2.2. The previous spelling,
>>>open(), is retained for compatibility, and is an alias for file()."
>>>
>>>That *strongly* suggests that the preferred spelling is file(), and
>>>that open() shouldn't be used for new code.
>>
>>Oops, yes.  I didn't write that, and it doesn't convey my feelings
>>about file() vs. open().  Here's a suggestion for better words:
>>
>>"The file class is new in Python 2.2.  It represents the type (class)
>>of objects returned by the built-in open() function.  Its constructor
>>is an alias for open(), but for future and backwards compatibility,
>>open() remains preferred."
>>
>>--Guido van Rossum (home page: http://www.python.org/~guido/)
> 
> 
> Tim Delaney

"file" is analogous to a class constructor, while "open" becomes a 
factory function for that class, with the same signature.

This raises the question as to which is the better way of creating an 
instance of a class.

It seems to me that the constructor is, for simple cass, the better way 
to go.  It provides one way and avoids the question of "Should I use A 
or B when there are more than one ways of doing some task.

What is the general view?

Colin W.
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