from http://stackoverflow.com/questions/101268/hidden-features-of-python
http://www.okpython.com/bbs/thread-3434-1-1.html
http://www.okpython.com/bbs/thread-3436-1-2.html
http://www.okpython.com/bbs/thread-3437-1-2.html
http://www.okpython.com/bbs/thread-3438-1-1.html
http://www.okpython.com/bbs/thread-3439-1-1.html
http://www.okpython.com/bbs/thread-3440-1-1.html
http://www.okpython.com/bbs/thread-3441-1-1.html