what would you like to see in a 2nd edition Nutshell?

[c d saunter]

Alex Martelli (aleaxit at yahoo.com) wrote:
: I'm considering proposing to O'Reilly a 2nd edition of "Python in a
: Nutshell", that I'd write in 2005, essentially to cover Python 2.3 and
: 2.4 (the current 1st edition only covers Python up to 2.2).

: So, if there's any advice or request about a 2nd edition of the
: Nutshell, this is the right time for y'all to let me know.  Feedback is
: welcome, either privately or right here.  Thanks in advance -- _and_
: apologies in advance because I know I just won't be able to accomodate
: all the requests/advice, given the constraints on book size &c.

Alex,
	Probably not a practical sugestion, but have you considered 
ctypes?  I know it's proved invaluable to our group at university - we 
like to make Python work with so many bits of weird hardware with vendor 
supplied libraries etc ...

Perhaps a more resonable sugestion would be a short section on integration 
with native systems, e.g. an intro/overview to (non exhaustive list):

psyco
scipy.blitz/weave
ctypes
pyrex

A detailed look at these is probably outside the scope of Nutshell, but 
they all represent intreresting areas.  Perhaps the section could end with 
some words on PyPy.

Cheers,	
cds