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Updated for existence of newsgroup and various misc things

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Guido van Rossum 1994-04-11 11:06:22 +00:00
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@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
Subject: FAQ: Python -- an object-oriented language
Newsgroups: comp.lang.misc,comp.answers,news.answers
Followup-to: comp.lang.misc
Newsgroups: comp.lang.python,comp.answers,news.answers
Followup-to: comp.lang.python
From: guido@cwi.nl (Guido van Rossum)
Reply-to: guido@cwi.nl (Guido van Rossum)
Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu
Archive-name: python-faq/part1
Version: 1.5
Last-modified: 15 Feb 1994
Version: 1.6
Last-modified: 11 April 1994
This article contains answers to Frequently Asked Questions about
Python (an object-oriented interpreted programming language -- see
@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ Email: guido@cwi.nl
The latest version of this FAQ is available by anonymous ftp from
ftp.cwi.nl [192.16.184.180] in the directory /pub/python, with
filename python-FAQ. It will also be posted regularly to the
newsgroups comp.answers and comp.lang.misc.
newsgroups comp.answers and comp.lang.python.
Many FAQs, including this one, are available by anonymous ftp from
rtfm.mit.edu [18.70.0.209] in the directory pub/usenet/news.answers.
@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ Here's an overview of the questions per chapter:
1.6. Q. Is there a book on Python, or will there be one out soon?
1.7. Q. Are there any published articles about Python that I can quote?
1.8. Q. How does the Python version numbering scheme work?
1.9. Q. Are there other ftp sites that carry Python related material?
2. Python in the real world
2.1. Q. How many people are using Python?
@ -84,7 +85,7 @@ Here's an overview of the questions per chapter:
3.5. Q. The python interpreter complains about options passed to a
script (after the script name).
3.6. Q. When building on the SGI, make tries to run python to create
glmodule.c, but python hasn't been built or installed yet.
glmodule.c, but python hasn't been built or installed yet.
3.7. Q. Other trouble building Python 1.0.1 on platform X.
4. Programming in Python
@ -161,35 +162,38 @@ down).
A. Apart from being a computer wizard, I'm also a fan of "Monty
Python's Flying Circus" (a BBC comedy series from the seventies, in
case you didn't know). It occurred to me one day that I needed a name
that was short, unique, and slightly mysterious. And I happened to be
reading some scripts from the series at the time... So then I decided
to call my language Python. But Python is not a joke. And don't you
associate it with dangerous reptiles either!
the -- unlikely -- case you didn't know). It occurred to me one day
that I needed a name that was short, unique, and slightly mysterious.
And I happened to be reading some scripts from the series at the
time... So then I decided to call my language Python. But Python is
not a joke. And don't you associate it with dangerous reptiles
either!
1.3. Q. How do I obtain a copy of the Python source?
A. The latest Python source distribution is always available by
anonymous ftp from ftp.cwi.nl [192.16.184.180] in the directory
/pub/python, with filename python<version>.tar.Z. It is a compressed
tar file containing the complete C source, LaTeX documentation, Python
library modules, example programs, and several useful pieces of freely
distributable software. This will compile and run out of the box on
most UNIX platforms. Currently <version> is 1.0.1. (See section 7
for non-UNIX information.)
/pub/python, with filename python<version>.tar.Z. (In the future and
on some archive sites the extension will be .gz, indicating use of
gzip compression.) It is a compressed (gzip'ed if the extension is
.gz) tar file containing the complete C source, LaTeX documentation,
Python library modules, example programs, and several useful pieces of
freely distributable software. This will compile and run out of the
box on most UNIX platforms. At the time of writing, <version> is
1.0.1. (See section 7 for non-UNIX information.)
1.4. Q. How do I get documentation on Python?
A. The latest Python documentation set is always available by
anonymous ftp from ftp.cwi.nl [192.16.184.180] in the directory
/pub/python, with filename pythondoc-ps<version>.tar.Z. It is a
compressed tar file containing PostScript files of the reference
manual, the library manual, and the tutorial. Currently <version> is
1.0.1. (Note that the library manual is the most important one of the
set, as much of Python's power stems from the standard or built-in
types, functions and modules, all of which are described here.)
PostScript for a high-level description of Python is in the file
nluug-paper.ps.
/pub/python, with filename pythondoc-ps<version>.tar.Z. (Or .gz --
see the previous question.) It is a compressed (or gzip'ed) tar file
containing PostScript files of the reference manual, the library
manual, and the tutorial. At the time of writing <version> is 1.0.1.
Note that the library manual is the most important one of the set, as
much of Python's power stems from the standard or built-in types,
functions and modules, all of which are described here. PostScript
for a high-level description of Python is in the file nluug-paper.ps.
The following sites keep mirrors of the Python distribution:
@ -199,18 +203,18 @@ gatekeeper.dec.com 16.1.0.2 /pub/plan/python/cwi
ftp.uu.net 192.48.96.9 /languages/python
ftp.wustl.edu 128.252.135.4 /graphics/graphics/sgi-stuff/python
ftp.funet.fi 128.214.6.100 /pub/languages/python (old?)
ftp.fu-berlin.de 130.133.4.50 /pub/unix/languages/python (python* only)
ftp.fu-berlin.de 130.133.4.50 /pub/unix/languages/python (*python* only)
Or try archie on e.g. python1.0.1.tar.Z to locate the nearest copy of
that version...
Or try archie on e.g. python1.0 to locate the nearest copy of that
version...
1.5. Q. Is there a newsgroup or mailing list devoted to Python?
A. There is no Python newsgroup yet; if you want to post to the net
about Python, use comp.lang.misc. There is a mailing list devoted to
Python; send e-mail to python-list-request@cwi.nl to (un)subscribe. A
Request For Discussion about create comp.lang.python has been posted
to news.groups. So far it has not elicited any negative responses.
A. There is a newsgroup, comp.lang.python, and a mailing list. The
newsgroup and mailing list are gatewayed into each other -- if you can
read news it is not necessary to subscribe to the mailing list. Send
e-mail to python-list-request@cwi.nl to (un)subscribe to the mailing
list.
1.6. Q. Is there a book on Python, or will there be one out soon?
@ -254,22 +258,35 @@ incremented for each new release. Note that in the past, patches have
added significant changes; in fact the changeover from 0.9.9 to 1.0.0
was the first time that either A or B changed!
1.9. Q. Are there other ftp sites that carry Python related material?
A. An interesting ftp site for Python users is ftp.markv.com
(192.122.251.1); the directory pub/python contains a growing
collection of interesting Python scripts. To submit a script for
inclusion, place it together with a readme file (with extension
.readme) in the publicly writable directory /incoming/python. This
service is maintained by Lance Ellinghouse <lance@markv.com>.
2. Python in the real world
===========================
2.1. Q. How many people are using Python?
A. I don't know, but at the last count there were at least 130
addresses on the Python mailing list (several of which are local
redistribution lists). I suspect that many users don't bother
to subscribe to the list.
A. I don't know, but the maximum number of simultaneous subscriptions
to the Python mailing list before it was gatewayed into the newsgroup
was about 180 (several of which were local redistribution lists). I
believe that many active Python users don't bother to subscribe to the
list, and now that there's a newsgroup the mailing list subscription
is even less meaningful.
2.2. Q. Have any significant projects been done in Python?
A. Here at CWI (the home of Python), we have written a 20,000 line
authoring environment for transportable hypermedia presentations, a
multimedia teleconferencing tool, as well as many smaller programs.
5,000 line multimedia teleconferencing tool, as well as many many
smaller programs.
The University of Virginia uses Python to control a virtual reality
engine. Contact: Matt Conway <conway@virginia.edu>.
@ -286,7 +303,7 @@ manangement application. Contact: <info@sunrise.com>.
Individuals at many other companies are using Python for
internal development (witness their contributions to the Python
mailing list).
mailing list or newsgroup).
Python has also been elected as an extension language by MADE, a
consortium supported by the European Committee's ESPRIT program and
@ -632,6 +649,20 @@ you can get the file pythonlib1.0.1.tar.Z from most ftp sites carrying
Python; this is a subset of the distribution containing just those
file.
Once you have installed the library, you need to point sys.path to it.
Assuming the library is in C:\misc\python\lib, the following commands
will point your Python interpreter to it (note the doubled backslashes
-- you can also use single forward slashes instead):
>>> import sys
>>> sys.path.insert(0, 'C:\\misc\\python\\lib')
>>>
For a more permanent effect, set the environment variable PYTHONPATH,
as follows (talking to a DOS prompt):
C> SET PYTHONPATH=C:\misc\python\lib
7.6. Q. Where's the documentation for the Mac or PC version?
A. There isn't any. The documentation for the Unix version also
@ -649,3 +680,12 @@ System 7. I work like this: start the interpreter; edit a module file
using Sigma Edit; import and test it in the interpreter; edit again in
Sigma Edit; then use the built-in function reload() to re-read the
imported module; etc.
Regarding the same question for the PC, Kurt Wm. Hemr writes: "While
anyone with a pulse could certainly figure out how to do the same on
MS-Windows, I would recommend the NotGNU Emacs clone for MS-Windows.
Not only can you easily resave and "reload()" from Python after making
changes, but since WinNot auto-copies to the clipboard any text you
select, you can simply select the entire procedure (function) which
you changed in WinNot, switch to QWPython, and shift-ins to reenter
the changed program unit."