[Python-Dev] Making setup.py a little more flexible

[Guido van Rossum]

> In discovering this, I think I have found some bits of README that need
> updating.  Eg.
> 
>   (When working inside the Modules directory, use "make Makefile;
>   make".)
> 
> -- this is untrue.  There is no Modules/Makefile anymore, right?

Correct.  Fixed.

>   In addition to the file Setup, you can also edit the file Setup.local.
>   (the makesetup script processes both).  You may find it more
>   convenient to edit Setup.local and leave Setup alone.  Then, when
>   installing a new Python version, you can copy your old Setup.local
>   file.
> 
> I'm not sure if this is correct either.  I tried to make my changes in
> Setup.local -- ie. add lines to define readline and _socket, with no
> reference to the broken libraries on this system.  It had no effect.  I
> made this same changes in Setup, and it worked.  Is this the expected
> behaviour?  From the above paragraph, it sounds like editing Setup.local
> should have worked for me.

Strange.  When I make changes to Setup.local, they definitely work!

--Guido van Rossum (home page: http://www.python.org/~guido/)