Python built-in methods

Asked Jun 16 '15 at 19:33

Active Jun 16 '15 at 19:34

Viewed 33 times

Assume:

>> a = 128
>> dir(a)
['__abs__', ..., '__xor__', 'bit_length', 'conjugate', 'denominator', 'imag', 'numerator', 'real']

The instruction:

>> dir(128)
['__abs__', ..., '__xor__', 'bit_length', 'conjugate', 'denominator', 'imag', 'numerator', 'real']

returns the same exactly previous result.

I can't explain why

>> a.bit_length()
8

works correctly but

>> 128.bit_length()
  File "<stdin>", line 1
    128.bit_length()
                 ^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax

throws a SyntaxError.

The second 128 is "parsed" a new int object should be created in memory. Why it can't access the method?

edited Jun 16 '15 at 19:34

Bhargav Rao

asked Jun 16 '15 at 19:33

c.bear

1

The parser sees the `.` and thinks it's a floating point number. – Ilia Choly Jun 16 '15 at 19:35
2

Long answer cut short, Put it in parenthesis, `(128).bit_length()` – Bhargav Rao Jun 16 '15 at 19:36
1

Look at the syntax highlighting: it thinks the `.bit` is part of the number. – TigerhawkT3 Jun 16 '15 at 19:37

0 Answers0