python / python/cpython

The explanation of "Annotating callable objects" section should be made better

Open
#145,577 0 comments 0 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub

Nobody has claimed this yet.

docs topic-typing
Dominant language
Python
Stars
77.2k
Forks
35.9k
PR merge metrics
PR metrics pending

Description

Documentation

*Notes:

  • Python 3.14.3
  • Related: #145602

In the explanation of Annotating callable objects section, some words or sentence aren't clear, distinct, specific, concise and less common, and the word argument is misused, etc. So they should be corrected:

<Some examples>
The 1st one:

*Notes:

  • "has" is better than "takes" because "takes" sounds taking an argument but not parameter:

... a function that takes a single parameter of type int and returns a str.

... a function that has a single parameter of type int and returns a str.

The 2nd one:

*Notes:

  • Naming and calling [] "type specification" is more understandable than "subscription syntax".
  • "must" is enough for emphasis so "always" and "exactly" aren't needed, emphasizing too much.
  • "two objects" are better than "two values" because "two values" sounds actual values like v = "Hello"'s "Hello" so it's confusing while talking about types.
  • "parameter type list" is better than "argument list" because "parameter" is correct and "type list" is more specific and understandable.

The subscription syntax must always be used with exactly two values: the
argument list and the return type.

The type specification [] must have two objects, a parameter type list and return type.

etc.
Linked PRs
  • gh-145576
  • gh-145598

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start with the "Annotating callable objects" section in the Python typing documentation, using the wording examples and related issues #145602, #145576, and #145598 as context. Review the proposed terminology and sentence changes, then confirm the section consistently uses clear distinctions between parameters, arguments, objects, and types.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
documentation
Issue type
Documentation
Difficulty
2/5
Estimated time
1-3 hours
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
35/100

Get new issues in your inbox

A short digest of beginner-friendly GitHub issues.