Python Zen

Python Zen, Or, The Zen of Python.

I have recorded these zennish python guidelines here in my blog for quick reference.
This particular rendition found at Bruce Eckel's website: http://www.mindview.net/Books/Python/ThinkingInPython.html

I presume it was based originally on something by Tim Peters though ;)


[update 6th Jan 06] I have just learned that these sayings can indeed be attributed to Tim Peters, and also that if you have access to a python interpreter, you can read them and consider their wisdon whenever you like simply by typing 'import this' at the interactive prompt. Enjoy!


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The Python Way
By Tim Peters
(Who I assume will speak up if he doesn't want me to post this)

* Beautiful is better than ugly.
* Explicit is better than implicit.
* Simple is better than complex.
* Complex is better than complicated.
* Flat is better than nested.
* Sparse is better than dense.
* Readability counts.
* Special cases aren't special enough to break the rules.
* Although practicality beats purity.
* Errors should never pass silently.
* Unless explicitly silenced.
* In the face of ambiguity, refuse the temptation to guess.
* There should be one-- and preferably only one --obvious way to do it.
* Although that way may not be obvious at first unless you're Dutch.
* Now is better than never.
* Although never is often better than *right* now.
* If the implementation is hard to explain, it's a bad idea.
* If the implementation is easy to explain, it may be a good idea.
* Namespaces are one honking great idea -- let's do more of those!
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