[C++-sig] Re: compile errors with embedding example from tutorial

[Graeme Lufkin]

On Thu, 1 Jul 2004 20:19:37 +0000 (UTC), Faheem Mitha
<faheem at email.unc.edu> wrote:
>  
> >     I've had similar problems, and have slogged my way to figuring
> > them out.  The tutorial is wrong, at least on gcc 3.2.3.
> >   Here's what you want:  After calling Py_Initialize(), you should get
> > the Python main namespace object by doing:
> >
> > handle<> main_module(borrowed( PyImport_AddModule("__main__") ));
> > dict main_namespace = extract<dict>(PyModule_GetDict(main_module.get()));
> 
> I think this should be main_module.ptr() since main_module is an object.

   In my example it's a handle<>, so get() is correct.  In Dave's (and
your) examples, it's an object, so ptr() is correct.

> I'm trying with
> 
> ******************************************************************************
> #include <boost/python.hpp>
> using namespace boost::python;
> 
> void foo()
> {
>   Py_Initialize();
>   
>   object main_module =
> object(handle<>(borrowed(PyImport_AddModule("__main__"))));
> 
>   dict main_namespace = extract<dict>(PyModule_GetDict(main_module.ptr()));
> 
>   handle<> unused(PyRun_String("hello = file('hello.txt', 'w')\n"
>                           "hello.write('Hello world!')\n"
>                           "hello.close()", Py_file_input,
>                           main_namespace.ptr(),main_namespace.ptr()));
>     Py_Finalize();
> }
> 
> BOOST_PYTHON_MODULE(embed)
> {
>   def("foo",foo);
> }
> *******************************************************************************
> 
> This compiles, but I get the same error as before, namely
> 
> NameError: name 'file' is not defined
> 
> Does this work correctly for you? I'm wondering if there is some issue
> with my compiler flags. I'm trying to get Boost.Build to work but
> there are some linking problems.

  First, your extension module should never call Py_Initialize() or
Py_Finalize(), as Python will already be initialized by the time
you're running methods in it.  I think what you want is foo() to be
main(), with no extension module stuff needed.  Also, Boost.Python and
Py_Finalize() don't play nice, so never call it (check the list
archive for details, I don't really understand why myself).
  Second, yes this compiles and runs correctly for me, after removing
the Py_Initialize and Py_Finalize calls.
  Third, you definitely need to use Boost.Build for a few sample
programs before you think about switching back to Makefiles.  I share
your frustration at Boost.Build sometimes, but it does a particular
job admirably.  I submitted some patches to the docs and the Jamfile
rules a while ago that were aimed at making it easier to use
Boost.Build for extensions and embedded apps.  Dave hasn't gotten back
to me yet. (Hint hint)
-- 
    -- Graeme
    graeme.lufkin at gmail.com