python / python/cpython

Enhancement: relax os.path.common input requirements

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#99,961 3 comments 0 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub

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stdlib type-feature
Dominant language
Python
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Description

Feature or enhancement

os.path.commonpath is needlessly strict requiring its paths argument to be a Sequence. The underlying algorithm does not require it and the restriction is an implementation artifact.

Pitch

  1. Faster code: current implementation goes over its input while, in principle, one iteration is sufficient
  2. Relaxed argument requirement: Sequence is replaced with Iterable

Previous discussion

https://discuss.python.org/t/os-path-commonpath-doesnt-need-a-sequence/21543/13

Linked PRs
  • gh-99964

Contributor guide

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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 at the os.path.commonpath entry point and inspect the existing implementation and tests for its paths argument. Compare the behavior with the linked discussion, then verify that iterable inputs are accepted, processing is performed in one pass, and existing path behavior remains intact.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
operating-systems
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Clearly specified
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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