Python Challenge level 23: “what is this module?”

As I understand it, this was the former last level of the game. Level 23. In time 10 more levels were added.

Hint 1: it can’t find it. this is an undocumented module.
Hint 2: va gur snpr bs jung?

One needs Python to solve this one. No other language will do. There’s no real need to use Python, but you doo need it.
After having spent some time in the forums for hints for some of the previous level, one gets to see that ‘encrypting’ things with ROT13 is a tradition over there. And the second hint is ROT13 for ‘in the face of what?’

I didn’t think about it at first, but the author said there that the solution was to take the hints literally. The answer to the riddle can be found in “Gur Mra bs Clguba, ol Gvz Crgref”. It looks like a Czech proverb, but it isn’t. At least that I konw of. After poking into every module, the only undocoumented module -as in ‘no a single comment in it’, not even oneliners!- is the answer to our prayers. It can be found a lot faster by just grepping for ‘the face of’:

taher@borg:/usr/lib/python2.5$ grep -i "va gur snpr bs" *
this.py:Va gur snpr bs nzovthvgl, ershfr gur grzcgngvba gb thrff.

Heh! ‘this module is undocumented’. Nice one. Try importing module ‘this’ in your Python interpreter. It’s amusing. The famous “proverb” is attributed to Tim Peters, who went by the name of UncleTimmy in the forums.

You’ll find the key to the next level either in the previous link or in the allready mentioned this.py.
Next is Level 24.

There’s something left in this level:

TODO: do you owe someone an apology? now it is a good time to tell him that you are sorry. Please show good manners although it has nothing to do with this level.

The only one ever insulted would have been Leopold, and since he doesn’t like cookies one would figure the second best thing is to simply drop him a line. If you apologize and he’s in good mood, you’ll get a response like this one:

From: Leopold Mozart <leopold.moz@pythonchall… >
Subject: Re: sorry
Never mind that.

Have you found my broken zip?
md5: bbb8b499a0eef99b52c7f13f4e78c24b

Can you believe what one mistake can lead to?

I guess it’ll be useful in the future. This was one easy and really nice level. If it’s the first time you hear of The Zen of Python, you should take a look. You’ll like it!