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by shoo 4630 days ago
if python were to have algebraic data types, it might also need pattern matching.
2 comments
gonnakillme 4630 days ago
I don't think pattern matching is necessary for ADTs. It's useful, but you could have e.g.

> if MyType.ConstructorA(a):

> ...

> elif MyType.ConstructorB(a):

> ...

or even something like

> with MyType.ConstructorA(a) as b, c:

> ...

> else with MyType.ConstructB(a) as d:

> ...

a "with/else with" construct would be a fairly straightforward addition to Python's "context manager" interface.

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Daishiman 4630 days ago
Yes, for better of worse Python is nowadays fairly conservative in introducing backward-incompatible syntax changes, and pattern matching would probably require quite a bit of new syntax (and benefits a lot from a strong compiler).
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