[Python-Dev] Library pragma in PC/config.h

[Greg Ward]

On 04 August 2000, Mark Hammond said:
> I would prefer python20_bcpp.lib, but that is not an issue.

Good suggestion: the contents of the library are more important than the 
format.  Rene, can you make this change and include it in your next
patch?  Or did you have some hidden, subtle reson for "bcpp_python20" as 
opposed to "python20_bcpp"?

> I am a little confused by the intention, tho.  Wouldnt it make sense to
> have Borland builds of the core create a Python20.lib, then we could keep
> the pragma in too?
> 
> If people want to use Borland for extensions, can't we ask them to use that
> same compiler to build the core too?  That would seem to make lots of the
> problems go away?

But that requires people to build all of Python from source, which I'm
guessing is a bit more bothersome than building an extension or two from 
source.  Especially since Python is already distributed as a very
easy-to-use binary installer for Windows, but most extensions are not.

Rest assured that we probably won't be making things *completely*
painless for those who do not toe Chairman Bill's party line and insist
on using "non-standard" Windows compilers.  They'll probably have to get
python20_bcpp.lib (or python20_gcc.lib, or python20_lcc.lib) on their
own -- whether downloaded or generated, I don't know.  But the
alternative is to include 3 or 4 python20_xxx.lib files in the standard
Windows distribution, which I think is silly.

> But assuming there are good reasons, I am happy.  It wont bother me for
> some time yet ;-) <just deleted a rant about the fact that anyone on
> Windows who values their time in more than cents-per-hour would use MSVC,
> but deleted it ;->

Then I won't even write my "it's not just about money, it's not even
about features, it's about the freedom to use the software you want to
use no matter what it says in Chairman Bill's book of wisdom" rant.

Windows: the Cultural Revolution of the 90s.  ;-)

        Greg
-- 
Greg Ward - geek-at-large                               gward@python.net
http://starship.python.net/~gward/
What happens if you touch these two wires tog--