python / python/cpython

`f(kw=a, *b)` with keyword argument before star arguments isn’t evaluated left-to-right

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#100,549 5 comments 0 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub

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interpreter-core type-bug
Dominant language
Python
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Forks
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Description

def f(a, kw):
    pass

f(kw=print(1), *[print(2)])

In Python 3.4.10 and earlier, this prints 1 then 2, but in Python 3.5.0 and later, this prints 2 then 1.

This seems like a bug of some kind. Given that ast.parse() doesn’t distinguish between f(kw=a, *b) and f(*b, kw=a), perhaps the bug is that a keyword argument is allowed before star arguments at all—we already disallow f(kw=a, b), f(**a, b), and f(**a, *b).

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Research direction

Start by reproducing the provided f(kw=print(1), *[print(2)]) example on the affected Python versions, then trace how CPython parses and evaluates calls containing keyword arguments and star arguments. Done means the behavior is corrected consistently, or the invalid argument ordering is rejected if that is the chosen resolution; the issue names no source files or tests.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
compilers
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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