Compiling Python 2.5.2 on AIX 5.2

[Randy.Galbraith at gmail.com]

I'm investigating the possible use of Mecurial SCM as a replacement
for CVS.  Mecurial is written in Python.  I have a background in GNU/
Linux, Solaris, sparc and Perl.  However AIX, powerpc and Python are
new to me.

--uname output--
$ uname -rvp
2 5 powerpc
--end uname output--

I used this script to compile Python:
--script--
export PATH=/usr/bin:/usr/vacpp/bin
export CC=xlC_r
export OBJECT_MODE=32
gunzip -c Python-2.5.2.tar.gz | tar xvf -
cd Python-2.5.2
./configure --with-gcc="xlc_r" --with-cxx="xlC_r" \
            --disable-ipv6 AR="ar" --prefix=$HOME
make
--end script--

My concern is when I run make test I get this output:
--make test output--
275 tests OK.
2 tests failed:
    test_mmap test_wait4
45 tests skipped:
    test_aepack test_al test_applesingle test_bsddb test_bsddb185
    test_bsddb3 test_bz2 test_cd test_cl test_codecmaps_cn
    test_codecmaps_hk test_codecmaps_jp test_codecmaps_kr
    test_codecmaps_tw test_ctypes test_curses test_dl test_gdbm
    test_gl test_gzip test_imgfile test_largefile test_linuxaudiodev
    test_macfs test_macostools test_nis test_normalization
    test_ossaudiodev test_pep277 test_plistlib test_scriptpackages
    test_socket_ssl test_socketserver test_sqlite test_startfile
    test_sunaudiodev test_tcl test_timeout test_urllib2net
    test_urllibnet test_winreg test_winsound test_zipfile64
    test_zipimport test_zlib
2 skips unexpected on aix5:
    test_largefile test_ctypes
make: *** [test] Error 1
--end make test output--

My question are:

(a) Have you successfully compiled Python 2.5.2 on AIX 5.2?  If so,
which options did you place in the environment and send to ./
configure?

(b) Given the choice between xlc and gcc 4.2.2 (which we have on the
platform) which one is considered more suitable?

(c) I am concerned about the two failing test cases: test_mmap and
test_wait4.  Are there good reasons why these failures can be safely
ignored?

(d) Should I be concerned with the skips of test_largefile and
test_ctypes?

Much thanks in advance.

Kind regards,
-Randy Galbraith