minor things

Doc/lib/libintro.tex

@@ -3,10 +3,10 @@
 The ``Python library'' contains several different kinds of components.
 
 It contains data types that would normally be considered part of the
-``core'' of the language, such as numbers and lists.  For these types,
+``core'' of a language, such as numbers and lists.  For these types,
-the core language defines the form of literals and places some
+the Python language core defines the form of literals and places some
-constraints on their semantics, but it does not fully describe the
+constraints on their semantics, but does not fully define the
-semantics.  (On the other hand, the core of the language defines
+semantics.  (On the other hand, the language core does define
 syntactic properties like the spelling and priorities of operators.)
 
 The library also contains built-in functions and exceptions ---
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ skip to the next chapter when you get bored, you will get a reasonable
 overview of the available modules and application areas that are
 supported by the Python library.  Of course, you don't \emph{have} to
 read it like a novel --- you can also browse the table of contents (in
-front of the manual) or look for a specific function, module or term
+front of the manual), or look for a specific function, module or term
 in the index (in the back).  And finally, if you enjoy learning about
 random subjects, you choose a random page number (see module
 \code{rand}) and read a section or two.

Doc/lib/libobjs.tex

@@ -3,9 +3,10 @@
 \nodename{Built-in Objects}
 
 Names for built-in exceptions and functions are found in a separate
-symbol table.  This table is searched last, so local and global
+symbol table.  This table is searched last when the interpreter looks
+up the meaning of a name, so local and global
 user-defined names can override built-in names.  Built-in types are
-described together here for easy reference.  %
+described together here for easy reference.%
 \footnote{Most descriptions sorely lack explanations of the exceptions
 	that may be raised --- this will be fixed in a future version of
 	this manual.}

Doc/lib/libselect.tex

@@ -12,14 +12,14 @@ corresponding string, as would be printed by the C function
 \code{perror()}.
 \end{excdesc}
 
-\begin{funcdesc}{select}{iwtd\, owtd\, ewtd\, timeout}
+\begin{funcdesc}{select}{iwtd\, owtd\, ewtd\optional{\, timeout}}
 This is a straightforward interface to the \UNIX{} \code{select()}
 system call.  The first three arguments are lists of `waitable
 objects': either integers representing \UNIX{} file descriptors or
 objects with a parameterless method named \code{fileno()} returning
 such an integer.  The three lists of waitable objects are for input,
 output and `exceptional conditions', respectively.  Empty lists are
-allowed.  The optional last argument is a time-out specified as a
+allowed.  The optional \var{timeout} argument specifies a time-out as a
 floating point number in seconds.  When the \var{timeout} argument
 is omitted the function blocks until at least one file descriptor is
 ready.  A time-out value of zero specifies a poll and never blocks.

Doc/libintro.tex

@@ -3,10 +3,10 @@
 The ``Python library'' contains several different kinds of components.
 
 It contains data types that would normally be considered part of the
-``core'' of the language, such as numbers and lists.  For these types,
+``core'' of a language, such as numbers and lists.  For these types,
-the core language defines the form of literals and places some
+the Python language core defines the form of literals and places some
-constraints on their semantics, but it does not fully describe the
+constraints on their semantics, but does not fully define the
-semantics.  (On the other hand, the core of the language defines
+semantics.  (On the other hand, the language core does define
 syntactic properties like the spelling and priorities of operators.)
 
 The library also contains built-in functions and exceptions ---
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ skip to the next chapter when you get bored, you will get a reasonable
 overview of the available modules and application areas that are
 supported by the Python library.  Of course, you don't \emph{have} to
 read it like a novel --- you can also browse the table of contents (in
-front of the manual) or look for a specific function, module or term
+front of the manual), or look for a specific function, module or term
 in the index (in the back).  And finally, if you enjoy learning about
 random subjects, you choose a random page number (see module
 \code{rand}) and read a section or two.

Doc/libobjs.tex

@@ -3,9 +3,10 @@
 \nodename{Built-in Objects}
 
 Names for built-in exceptions and functions are found in a separate
-symbol table.  This table is searched last, so local and global
+symbol table.  This table is searched last when the interpreter looks
+up the meaning of a name, so local and global
 user-defined names can override built-in names.  Built-in types are
-described together here for easy reference.  %
+described together here for easy reference.%
 \footnote{Most descriptions sorely lack explanations of the exceptions
 	that may be raised --- this will be fixed in a future version of
 	this manual.}

Doc/libselect.tex

@@ -12,14 +12,14 @@ corresponding string, as would be printed by the C function
 \code{perror()}.
 \end{excdesc}
 
-\begin{funcdesc}{select}{iwtd\, owtd\, ewtd\, timeout}
+\begin{funcdesc}{select}{iwtd\, owtd\, ewtd\optional{\, timeout}}
 This is a straightforward interface to the \UNIX{} \code{select()}
 system call.  The first three arguments are lists of `waitable
 objects': either integers representing \UNIX{} file descriptors or
 objects with a parameterless method named \code{fileno()} returning
 such an integer.  The three lists of waitable objects are for input,
 output and `exceptional conditions', respectively.  Empty lists are
-allowed.  The optional last argument is a time-out specified as a
+allowed.  The optional \var{timeout} argument specifies a time-out as a
 floating point number in seconds.  When the \var{timeout} argument
 is omitted the function blocks until at least one file descriptor is
 ready.  A time-out value of zero specifies a poll and never blocks.