python-dev Summary, 2002-11-01 through 2002-11-15

[Tim Peters]

[Brett C.]
> This was a slight problem because if the extension file doesn't build
> under Windows it can't be included in the PythonLabs Windows distro.
> So keep in mind that if your module won't directly compile for 6
> different versions of Windows it won't be included in the Windows
> distro.

[TeaAndBikkie]
> This restriction seems a bit unfriendly...

Na, the PLabs Windows distro is a binary distro, compiled with MSVC 6, and
including precompiled versions of various 3rd-party packages so that the
majority of Windows users don't have to do a thing.  In this case, the bz2
module will be in the 2.3 PLabs Windows distro (that's already checked in to
CVS, including the necessary installer changes).

> is there any direction to getting python compilable on/for windows
> with an open source compiler, eg. gcc, mingw, etc?

Jason Tishler does an excellent job on the Cygwin port, and Python is part
of "the normal" Cygwin download.  If you want to compile it yourself, be our
guest <wink>.