How often have you used the function `range()` in Python? It's often something you use early on as you learn about the `for` loop…
But… did you know it's not really a function, after all?!
Have a look at the docs or use `help()` to check…
`range` is a class. And therefore `range()` creates an instance of the class as is always the case with a class.
So, my question is: "Does it matter?"
Technically, it does. A function is not a class – they're different things
But in practice, what matters is how it behaves and not what it is!
This is a key principle in Python when thinking about data types. What they do and how they behave matters more that what they are!
So you can use `range()` like a function, even though it's not!
@s_gruppetta Interesting. I'm going to have to go back to my Python book and see what it says about this. I'm fairly sure it just presents it as a command to be used in a certain way.
@andrewhoyer it “behaves” like a function. In many ways, that’s all that matters!
@s_gruppetta Thanks for sharing! I think this is what APIs of any kind are for - serve the purpose and be easy to understand: no matter if that's a built-in library, some additional package or even REST/SOAP. Clearly, a good example that we should focus on building a good interfaces first.