Questions on embedding Python

[Kenneth McDonald]

We're looking at embedding Python into our product to provide users  
with the ability to write scripts for the programming. My knowledge  
of Python is excellent, I'm familiar with the concepts of converting  
back and forth between C and Python datatypes, but my knowledge of  
compiling and linking is almost nonexistent. So if I could get advice  
on the following, it would be most appreciated. The program currently  
runs on Mac and Windows.

1) When Python is embedded, is it typically compiled statically into  
the program, or provided as a dynamic library?

2) If provided as a dynamic library, does/should Python be recompiled  
into a tweaked dynamic library, or do we just use the python  
executable 'straight up', so to speak.

3) We would of course want to make sure that 'our' Python (so to  
speak) would have access only to 'our' library of Python code (which  
would include most of the standard Python libraries), so that it  
can't be confused by the presence of some other version of Python on  
the system. Is this normally done by compiling in the Python search  
path, making it relative to the main application?

4) I've never done this myself, but I understand that Python can  
import code from zip files in much the same way that Java can import  
from jar files. Is it possible to lump all of the python code we  
provide for use with the embedded Python into one big zip file, or  
would that cause problems such as slow loading when a module is  
imported? This would be nice because the fewer files we distribute,  
the better.

Many thanks,
Ken