Replace "starred_list" with standard grammar term "expression_list" in for statement documentation

[Yash-Vijay29]

Documentation

In the compound statements docs, section 8.3 i found:

for_stmt ::= "for" target_list "in" starred_list ":" suite
["else" ":" suite]

However, starred_list does not appear to be a defined production rule elsewhere in the language reference. It seems to act more like a semantic placeholder to indicate that starred_expressions (like *x) are allowed in the iterable.

Since the real grammar uses expression_list — which already includes starred_expression — would it be more consistent and accurate to write this instead?:

for_stmt ::= "for" target_list "in" expression_list ":" suite
["else" ":" suite]

…and then note in the accompanying text that starred_expression is supported?
This might reduce confusion for readers trying to understand or implement the formal grammar.
Can I work on that?

Linked PRs

• gh-134026: Fix grammar description of for statement #134034
• [3.14] gh-134026: Fix grammar description of for statement (GH-134034) #134424

[sanjai-11]

Hi, I am willing to work on this issue #134026
Assign me to this issue.

[Yash-Vijay29]

Hi, I am willing to work on this issue #134026 Assign me to this issue.

Hi, I actually opened this issue because I noticed the inconsistency and proposed the solution. I'm planning to submit a PR for it shortly. Appreciate the interest, but I’ll be taking this one. I asked in the issues because even i am not sure if its supposed to be changed or whether "starred_list" is correct. Im hoping for someone more experienced to help clarify it. I am new here too and this is my first doc inconsistency, I do not have the power to assign issues as thats only for trusted developers i believe

[sanjai-11]

Got it, Thanks

[skirpichev]

See

cpython/Grammar/python.gram

Lines 715 to 723 in 6df3976

	star_expressions[expr_ty]:
	| a=star_expression b=(',' c=star_expression { c })+ [','] {
	_PyAST_Tuple(CHECK(asdl_expr_seq*, _PyPegen_seq_insert_in_front(p, a, b)), Load, EXTRA) }
	| a=star_expression ',' { _PyAST_Tuple(CHECK(asdl_expr_seq*, _PyPegen_singleton_seq(p, a)), Load, EXTRA) }
	| star_expression
	star_expression[expr_ty] (memo):
	| '*' a=bitwise_or { _PyAST_Starred(a, Load, EXTRA) }
	| expression

[Yash-Vijay29]

ah okay. Sorry to bother i must have missed it as i hit "starred" on my ctrl+f in the grammar. Thank you

[skirpichev]

No, you misunderstood. This is a quote from the grammar for your reference. I believe issue is valid.

[Yash-Vijay29]

No, you misunderstood. This is a quote from the grammar for your reference. I believe issue is valid.

oh okay.. its my first issue ever on github so am a bit nervous.
so i change the starred_list into star_expression?

[skirpichev]

so i change the starred_list into star_expression?

I'm not sure about naming. But whatever it will be, you should define the starred_list.

[Yash-Vijay29]

Oh okay. I will look into doing that