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Description
If multiple different functions to achieve the same goal exist, understanding a data pipeline becomes harder. This is also directly mirrored on a purely syntax level with PL5.5 - Different syntax options for the same semantic decrease understanding.
With different functions, users must be familiar with all of them or can be surprised by an approach they have not yet seen. Additionally, if two functions seem to do the same thing they can confuse users as to what their differences are. While Python already includes a large standard library, external libraries also add their own functionality, exacerbating the problem (see PL4.2 - External libraries have different approaches and change).
Added complexity impacts novice developers more, because more previous experience is required to understand a data pipeline from source code (a reason for HU1.1 - Python is harder to understand without previous experience).
Representative Quotes
Also the magnitude of functions and syntax options can lead to a pipeline that is more difficult to read.
- S18
Python has lot of functionality and I think thats sometime helpful and also some time confusing as well.
- S24
In Python, there are many varieties and different options, libraries etc, it is harder for non-experienced to grasp the essence.
- S49