5 ms·

Yes, moreover, it should be a type error.

• eesmith 9y ago
  It isn't a type error: % python Python 3.6.0 ... >>> answer = "yes" >>> if answer == "y" or "yes": ... print("Thanks") ... Thanks The expression is the same as: (answer == "y") or "yes" If answer is 'y' then the if-expression evaluates to True; for any other string it evaluates to "yes": >>> "y" == "y" or "yes" True >>> "yes" == "y" or "yes" 'yes' >>> "no" == "y" or "yes" 'yes' Both True and 'yes' are considered True for an if-expression.
  • deleted 9y ago
    [deleted]
  • elcapitan 9y ago
    So the use case where you actually want that exact syntax is "if a == someValue or someVariableIsNotNull"
  • dllthomas 9y ago
    I think you read the parent as saying "I expect that Python currently reports this as a type error", which of course is not the case. I suspect, however, that the parent intended something more along the lines of "Other things being equal, the better language would reject this as a type error."