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Subject: Re: PyWart: More surpises via "implict conversion to boolean" (and other steaming piles!)
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On Feb 10, 2014, at 10:30 PM, Steven D'Aprano <steve@pearwood.info> =
wrote:

>>=20
>>    1. Parenthesis should not be required for parameter- less =
functions.
>=20
> Of course they should. Firstly, parameter-less functions are a code-
> smell, and ought to be discouraged. Secondly, even if you have a good=20=

> reason for using one -- for example, random.random -- then the =
difference=20
> between referring to the object and calling the object should be =
clear.

Interesting. Can you clarify or provide some links to the =
"parameter-less functions are a code-smell=94 bit?

I agree with your points about consistency. I disagree with the original =
poster that niladic functions should have a different syntax than the =
others. I empathize with him, I=92ve made the same mistake before (being =
an ardent Smalltalker in the past, it=92s an easy habit to have bite =
you). But the consistency is more important. And in python, things =
=93happen=94 when parentheses appear. I just accept that.

OTOH, I=92m not sure I=92ve heard the parameters-less functions are a =
code one? Is it just loose functions that you=92re referring to? As =
opposed to methods (which are just bound functions)? I could maybe =
accept that. But methods with fewer arguments, and even none, are a =
desirable thing. There are code smells that are the opposite in fact, =
methods with long parameter lists are generally seen as code smell =
(=93passing a paragraph=94).

Anyway, I=92d love to understand better what you see as the code smell =
and why.=