[Python-Dev] Removing Non-Unicode Support?

[Jeff Rush]

M.-A. Lemburg wrote:

> I'd say that the parties interested in non-Unicode versions of
> Python should maintain these branches of Python. Dito for other
> stripped down versions.

I understand where you're coming from but the embedded market I encounter 
tends to focus on the hardware side.  If they can get a marketing star by 
grabbing Python off-the shelf, tweak the build and produce something to 
include with their product, they will. But if they have to maintain a 
branch, they'll just go with the defacto C API most such devices use.

> Note that this does not mean that we should forget about memory
> consumption issues. It's just that if there's only marginal
> interest in certain special builds of Python, I don't see the
> requirement for the Python core developers to maintain them.

These requirements of customization may not be a strong case for today but 
could be impacting future growth of the language in certain sectors.  I'm a 
rabid Python evangelist and alway try to push Python into more nooks and 
crannies of the marketplace, similar to how the Linux kernel is available 
from the tiniest machines to the largest iron.  If the focus of Python is to 
be strictly a desktop, conventional (mostly ;-) language, restricting its 
adaptability to other less interesting environments may be a reasonable 
tradeoff to improve its maintainability.  But adaptability, especially when 
you don't fully grok where or how it will be used, can also be a competitive 
advantage.

-Jeff