[Distutils] Re: [Python-checkins] python/dist/src/Lib/distutils sysconfig.py,1.52,1.53

[Jeremy Hylton]

>>>>> "MAL" == mal  <M.-A.> writes:

  >> Python 1.5.2 users have been running with distutils 1.0.2 for
  >> about a year and a half now.  We haven't heard any complaints
  >> from them about the lack of releases for 1.5.2.

  MAL> Maybe that's because package developers have tried to keep
  MAL> 1.5.2 compatibility by adding bug fixes to their setup.pys ?!
  MAL> I know that I've done this in the past.

Examples, please.  I don't maintain any software that is intended to
run with 1.5.2, so I can't quite imagine what you mean.

  >> I believe the last release was good enough for 1.5.2.  If someone
  >> can live with all the bugs and out-of-date stuff in 1.5.2, they
  >> can live with a slightly out-of-date distutils, too.

  MAL> If they won't be able to compile distutils packages anymore,
  MAL> they certainly won't feel good about it.

I don't think anyone has suggested making changes such that would
prevent people from building distutils packages.  I just don't
understand the fear here.

  >> It's a pain in the neck to hack on distutils and be careful to
  >> avoid accidentally adding code that won't work with 1.5.2.

  MAL> Huh ? Avoiding string methods isn't all that hard.

In large software projects like Zope and Mailman, people have
repeatedly run into problems with Python version compatibility.  There
are lots of differences between 1.5.2 and 2.2.2, and it is easy to use
a new feature without thinking "I'm using a new feature."

  MAL> Instead of discussing code cosmetics we should look into adding
  MAL> more packagers for e.g. debian and freebsd. These things are
  MAL> much more important, IMHO.

They haven't proven important enough for anyone to do anything about
them <0.3 wink>.

Jeremy