[Python-Dev] Timing for Py2.4

[Anthony Baxter]

Raymond Hettinger wrote:
> [Anthony Baxter]
> 
>>Remember: a 2.4 that's broken is far, far, far worse
>>
>>>than a 2.4 that's 6-8 weeks later.
> 
> 
> Py2.4 is not broken, I use it everyday for everything! It is much more
> stable than any previous pre-alpha.  I'm sensing more FUD than fact.
> 
> The alpha release is not the same as final release.  So, can we
> compromise and agree to get out a late May alpha but leave the final
> release date as a range (allowing for your "baking" delay if it turns
> out that there is some value in letting the bits sit idle for a few
> months)?

I'm not saying 2.4 is broken. I _am_ saying that there's a pile of large
and potentially disruptive changes that are _not_ _even_ _checked_ _in_
_yet_. At least one of these (decorators) still hasn't had a Guido
pronouncement.

> Py2.2 didn't get debugged or fully documented for ages.  Py2.3 didn't
> even have a feature freeze until the second beta.  This time we will.
> We're already fairly conservative with two alphas and two betas.  

The goal is, if possible, to have as few alphas and betas as possible.
If we can kick out an alpha1 that works on a whole pile of systems,
and we don't need an alpha2, this is a good thing. A python release
is a non-trivial amount of work. I point (again) to the wide variety
of systems in the HP testdrive farm, and the SF compile farm, as well
as the various systems I have around here. I try very hard to get
releases tested and built on as many of these as possible, _before_
I go and cut the release. Saying "oh, just release an alpha1 anyway,
if it is completely screwed, we can just release an alpha2 two days
later" underestimates the amount of work needed to cut one of these
things.

> The world is safer with me doing an alpha than with 2.3.4 which has to
> be perfect.  Also, I have no desire to be RM, but that appears to be the
> only way to avoid months of unnecessary delay.

"Unnecessary" would seem to be in the eye of the beholder.


-- 
Anthony Baxter     <anthony at interlink.com.au>
It's never too late to have a happy childhood.