[Python-mode] replacing python.el

[Stefan Monnier]

> I had hoped that it would be possible to merge python-mode.el and python.el
> and reduce the confusion and inconvenience of Python X/Emacs  users.
> Andreas's opinion is that that is technically impossible and I  believe it
> is Dave's opinion that it will be practically impossible  from a legal
> perspective.  If that's the case, then so be it; we will  continue to
> develop and maintain python-mode.el as an alternative and  XEmacs will
> likely include our version in its distribution.  Emacs  users will have to
> find it if they are looking for an alternative, but  once they do, it should
> work just fine for them.

> python-mode.el is now GPLv3.

I'm glad to hear it's now GPLv3.  From Emacs's point of view, we'd like
to see the two converge, but this seems only possible if python-mode.el
can be included in Emacs which requires its code to be assigned to
the FSF.  If the copyright assignment is reasonably possible, then
I see no reason why the two code bases can't converge (clearly half the
code would be thrown out, and there may be some tricky political work to
do to get keybindings aligned, etc...).

Last time this was brought up, the general sentiment was that, if
merging is too difficult, it might be preferable to switch wholesale to
python-mode.el (and then maybe try to retrofit some of python.el's
featureset).

> It seems like python-mode.el will never be included in Emacs.

Why is that?  Too many contributors?  Can't be tracked down?
Won't sign papers?


        Stefan