What Does the Slash (/) in Python\'s `range()` Function Signature Mean?

Python Range Function and the Slash (/) in Method Signature

When using the help() function in Python 3.4 to view the method signatures for the range function, you may notice a slash (/) preceding the closing parenthesis. This slash indicates the separation between positional-only parameters and regular parameters that can be passed as keyword arguments.

Positional-only parameters are passed to a function based solely on their position, without being assigned to specific parameter names. In the range function, the stop parameter is positional-only.

The slash (/) is intended to enhance API clarity and simplify coding. By separating positional-only parameters, it prevents confusion and ensures that arguments are passed correctly. It also facilitates the consistent implementation of C-only modules in pure Python.

Furthermore, positional-only parameters optimize code execution speed due to their simplified processing requirements.

The inclusion of a slash (/) in method signatures for positional-only parameters aligns with PEP 457, reserved for future language specification. With the ratification of PEP 570, positional-only parameters have become a formal part of the Python language in version 3.8.

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