[Python-Dev] __debug__ and py_compile

[Greg Ward]

Hi all --

a particularly active member of the Distutils-SIG brought the
global '__debug__' flag to my attention, since I (and thus my code)
didn't know if calling 'py_compile.compile()' would result in a ".pyc"
or a ".pyo" file.  It appears that, using __debug__, you can determine
what you're going to get.  Cool!

However, it doesn't look like you can *choose* what you're going to
get.  Is this correct?  Ie. does the presence/absence of -O when the
interpreter starts up *completely* decide how code is compiled?

Also, can I rely on __debug__ being there in the future?  How about in
the past?  I still occasionally ponder making Distutils compatible with
Python 1.5.1.

Thanks --

       Greg