[Python-Dev] PEP 11: Dropping support for ten year old systems

["Martin v. Löwis"]

Am 06.12.2010 09:36, schrieb Jeroen Ruigrok van der Werven:
> -On [20101206 08:30], "Martin v. Löwis" (martin at v.loewis.de) wrote:
>> As a counter-example, I think the only way to phase out support
>> for old OpenBSD releases is that we set a date.
> 
> If you want, I can provide you with specifics on the BSD platforms of what
> is currently in use, EOL and the future.

If that's publicly documented from a single starting page, having the
URL of that page would be appreciated. Also, do users accept that
policy? (i.e. would they feel sad if Python releases don't support BSD
releases anymore that don't get patches?)

For Windows and Solaris, it seems that some users continue to use the
system after the vendor stops producing patches, and dislike the
prospect of not having Python releases for it anymore. However, they
are in clear minority, so by our current policy for minority platforms
(no need to support them), that's fine. This really triggered the "ten
years" proposal: for quite some time now (20 years) people stop losing
interest in operating systems after ten years.

> Also, with regard to Windows 2000, XP and its APIs. Didn't XP already switch
> a bunch of APIs around that 2000 doesn't use? (Need to find that migration
> document.)

I don't understand the question: what does it meant to switch an API
around? XP has added new API that wasn't available in 2000, if that's
what you are asking.

Regards,
Martin