[mlvljr]

>> My understanding of the timeline and Guido's writings on the subject make it seem very unlikely that C++ or Perl had any significant impact on the decision to create Python or the design of Python.

Look at slide 4 of http://www.aleax.it/Python/ep03_meta.pdf:

>>> "Putting Metaclasses to Work", by Ira Forman and Scott Danforth (AddisonWesley 1998) / strong influence on Python 2.2 & later /„ based on IBM SOMobjects & C++

That's only one thing coming to mind :) (immediately followed by the quote: "In the past, the subject of metaclasses in Python has caused hairs to raise and even brains to explode (see, for example Metaclasses in Python 1.5). Fortunately, in Python 2.2, metaclasses are more accessible and less dangerous." by Guido at https://www.python.org/download/releases/2.2/descrintro/ -- referencing same C++ book(s), actually)