Guido on static typing in Python

I was just reading the latest brain dump by Guido on ‘Optional Static Typing in Python’ and various comments on it.

First impression? I don’t like it. The simple reason being that it makes Python much more complex. I know its the same rant again but hear me out.

Many ‘advanced’ features of Python such as metaclasses  are really optional and you can learn it on your own pace and probably never use it at all. The part that troubles me regarding this optional static typing is that I’m pretty sure that other modules and frameworks and the standard library will start using this static typing and then it’s not ‘optional’ is it?

Still, the many advantages of static typing listed by Guido is great and my implicit faith in BDFL is still solid. I just hope this feature doesn’t do more harm than good.

More Blogtalk

• The Type Declaration Compromise (excellent must-read)
• Three Lefts Make a Right: The Type Declaration Paradox (excellent must-read)
• More static typing nonsense
• Three Steps Backwards
• The Road to Ruin
• GvR gets ML-envy
• Ted Leung on Linguistic Futures

Update
Guido says Stop the Flames! in his third installment about Optional Static Typing and gives a scaled down proposal to convince the Pythonistas…