[Python-Dev] PEP 273 - Import from Zip Archives

[James C. Ahlstrom]

M.-A. Lemburg wrote:


> Sure, but for finding imputil itself you still need the C import
> mechanism. Even worse: if Python can't find imputil (for some 
> reason), it would be completely broken.


The other objection raised at the time was the possible
slow down of imports.

I think the existing C module search code is basically
good, although I wouldn't mind moving module import into
a Python method.  But since the C works, I have little
motivation to replace it.

 
> My only gripe with the existing C implementation is that
> I would like to have more hooks available. Currently, you
> have to replace the complete API in order to add new 
> features -- not exactly OO :-/


My code uses os.listdir to cache directory contents, but
defers its use until the os module can be imported using
the C import code.  I think a similar trick could be used
to replace imports with a new module.  This would make it
easy to replace imports.  But this would not
make it easy to add features unless a module were available
which implemented the current import semantics in Python.


> BTW, how is progress on the ZIP import patch doing ?
> Perhaps Jim should just check in what he has so that the code
> gets a little more code review...


The code is "done" has been in Source Forge patch 492105
for some time.

I am leaving for Panama tomorrow for 8 days, so if I
seem to disappear, that's why.  I would be happy to work
hard on this after I get back, because I think it is an
important addition for Python.

JimA