Python Mutable Primitives

While easy to create, it is crazy that python doesn't provide mutable primitives by default (AFAIK).

This package provides some simple python primitive types in a mutable shell:

• Bool
• Float
• Int
• Str

Basic Usage and Invalid Uses

The safest usage is to always use .set() and .get():

from mutable_primitives import Int

x = Int(5)

def make_x_seven():
    x.set(7)

make_x_seven()

print(x.get()) # should print 7

However if you understand the limitations, you can do some normal operations:

from mutable_primitives import Int
x = Int(5)
print(x + 4) # prints 9 (technically Int(9))
print(4 + x) # prints 9 (technically int(9))
assert x == 5
assert 5 == x

TODO some invalid/bad/dangerous use cases1

Caveats, Reasoning, and FAQ

Q: This whole library is unnecessary.
A: That's a statement.

Q: Why make a library when you can do this in a few lines when needed?
A: Having a library just makes it more uniform and clear what's happening.

Q: There are 4 competing libraries for this functionality, why add another?
A: There are now 5 competing libraries.

Q: Why use obfuscated/unsafe compile/FunctionType when you could just write the functions?
A: I'm lazy, feel free to PR it.

Q: Why not subclass int/float/etc?
A: You can't subclass bool, and subclassing the other primitives brings complexity.

TODO List

In rough order of preference:

• Better README.md
• Ensure correct type used with .set(), e.g. x = Int(5); x.set('bad') should error
• Tests for Bool class
• Tests for Int class
• Tests for Float class
• Implement Str class
• Tests for Str class
• Add thread-safe mutables classes