[C++-sig] reloading modules written with Boost.Python

[David Cournapeau]

François Duranleau wrote:
> On Wed, 26 Sep 2007, Christoph Groth wrote:
>
>   
>> Dear group,
>>
>> I've created a simple module with Boost.Python which provides a single simple
>> function.  Importing that module into python and executing the function works.
>>
>> It would be nice to be able to change the function, recompile the module, and
>> `reload(module_name)' it in python without restarting the interpreter.  This,
>> however does not work.  Python says it has reloaded the module but when I
>> execute the function it is still the old one:
>>     
>
> AFAIK, it is a limitation of any extension modules, not just Boost.Python. 
> Reloading works properly only with pure Python modules.
>
>   
Couldn't it depends on the platform ? From an OS perspective, a C 
extension is a dll/shared library, and not all OS can "deload" and 
"reload" libraries in a running process ? Maybe python implementation 
relies on the smallest common denominator ?

cheers,

David