These little annoying and surprising things...

...concerning Python as language of "very clear syntax which emphasizes code readability" (Wikipedia):

A = Annoying == Anti-Python

1. The naming conventions of...:

a) ...package-files/magic members: __init__.py, def __del__, __name__
b) ...visibility modifiers: _protected and __private

So _ and __ in general. Really, why did Guido do this? Is there an explanation? Perhaps it's inherited from another language?

2. The verbose...:

a) ...object inheritance declaration of each class: class Standard(object)
b) ..."self"-reference of each class-value/-constructor/-function just to indicate that it's non-static: def compute(self, number), self.Radius, def __init__(self)


(3. Multiple inheritance: It's no coincidence that most languages don't support multiple inheritance. Normally, you don't need it and it is a trap which makes debugging almost impossible. It is definitely not a feature for a language which emphasizes code readability and clear syntax.)




S = Surprising

(Powerful ability to handle and process strings in general.)

1. Lambda/Annonymous functions: (lambda x, y : x + y)
2. Managed Attributes: property([fget[, fset[, fdel[, doc]]]])
3. Great modification abilities due to magic members/methods and type-emulation.
4. List comprehension, generator expressions and yield.
5. Function decorations. Java has this one too.
6. Localization module. It's neat and easy to localize your programs.
7. Parallel computing module!
8. Awesome network protocol capabilities.
9. Unit tests.
10. The best documantation I've ever seen.