Message111374
This bikeshed have been repainted several times already, but here is a true story.
Cast:
Me = myself
Novice = a 14-year-old boy
Laptop = a MacBook Air
Novice: How do i exit [from python prompt]?
Me: What's your best guess?
Novice: [typing] exit [pressing Enter]
Laptop: Use exit() or Ctrl-D (i.e. EOF) to exit
Novice: [typing] Ctrl...
Me: OMG, you don't know what Ctrl-D means? Look for the Ctrl key.
Novice: There is no such key.
--- curtains ---
I suggest changing
Use exit() or Ctrl-D (i.e. EOF) to exit
to
Type exit() or quit() and press the Enter key to exit
or
Type exit() or quit() and press Enter to exit
or just
Use exit() to exit
My theory is that someone who knows what EOF is, will probably already know how to exit from common terminal oriented programs and Ctrl-D is not universally bound to EOF.
TOOWTDI: two ways to exit is more than enough to teach a novice. |
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Date |
User |
Action |
Args |
2010-07-23 19:24:03 | belopolsky | set | recipients:
+ belopolsky, docs@python |
2010-07-23 19:24:02 | belopolsky | set | messageid: <1279913042.97.0.618415832845.issue9362@psf.upfronthosting.co.za> |
2010-07-23 19:24:00 | belopolsky | link | issue9362 messages |
2010-07-23 19:24:00 | belopolsky | create | |
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