mirrors/cpython
1
0
Fork 0
mirror of https://github.com/python/cpython.git synced 2025-08-04 00:48:58 +00:00
Code Issues Projects Releases Packages Wiki Activity Actions 8

Initial revision

Browse source
This commit is contained in:
Guido van Rossum 1994-01-26 10:20:16 +00:00
parent 8f0d0c8a21
commit a7925f18de
16 changed files with 4571 additions and 0 deletions
Download patch file Download diff file Expand all files Collapse all files

64
Misc/ACKS Normal file
View file

@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
Acknowledgements
----------------
This list is not complete and not in any useful order, but I would
like to thank everybody who contributed in any way, with code, hints,
bug reports, ideas, moral support, endorsement, or even complaints....
Without you I would've stopped working on Python long ago!
--Guido
Amrit
Mark Anacker
Anthony Baxter
Donald Beaudry
Eric Beser
Stephen Bevan
Peter Bosch
Terrence Brannon
Erik de Bueger
Jan-Hein B"uhrman
Dick Bulterman
David Chaum
Jonathan Dasteel
John DeGood
Roger Dev
Lance Ellinghouse
Stoffel Erasmus
Niels Ferguson
Michael Guravage
Paul ten Hagen
Lynda Hardman
Ivan Herman
Chris Hoffman
Philip Homburg
Jack Jansen
Bill Janssen
Drew Jenkins
Lou Kates
Robert van Liere
Steve Majewski
Lambert Meertens
Steven Miale
Doug Moen
Sape Mullender
Sjoerd Mullender
George Neville-Neil
Randy Pausch
Marcel van der Peijl
Steven Pemberton
Tim Peters
John Redford
Timothy Roscoe
Kevin Samborn
Fred Sells
Denis Severson
Michael Shiplett
Paul Sijben
Dirk Soede
Per Spilling
Quentin Stafford-Fraser
Tracy Tims
Bennett Todd
Jaap Vermeulen
Dik Winter

61
Misc/AIX-NOTES Normal file
View file

@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
[Excerpt from an email describing how to build Python on AIX.]
Subject: Re: Python 1.0.0 BETA 5 -- also for Macintosh!
From: se@MI.Uni-Koeln.DE (Stefan Esser)
To: Guido.van.Rossum@cwi.nl
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 1994 17:40:43 +0100
[...]
The following are [...] Instructions
to get a clean compile using gcc and xlc
under AIX 3.2.4.
Since I wanted to make sure that Python compiles
using both compilers and several sets of options
(ANSI and traditional C, optimize on/off) I didn't
try to include bash readline or other optional
modules.
'make test' succeeded using Python compiled with
the AIX C-compiler invoked as 'cc' and with options
'-o -qMEMMAX=4000' and compiled with 'gcc' and
options '-O -Wall'.
There were some problems trying to compile python
using 'gcc -ansi' (because of _AIX no longer being
defined), but I didn't have time to look into this.
Regards,
Stefan Esser
REQUIRED:
---------
1) AIX compilers don't like the LANG env
varaiable set to european locales.
This makes the compiler generate floating
point constants using "," as the decimal
seperator, which the assembler doesnt't
understand (or was it the other way around,
with the assembler expecting "," in float
numbers ???).
Anyway: "LANG=C; export LANG" solves the
problem, as does "LANG=C $(MAKE) ..." in
the master Makefile.
OPTIONAL:
---------
2) The xlc compiler considers "Python/ceval.c"
too complex to optimize, except when invoked
with "-qMEMMAX=4000".
[...]

45
Misc/BLURB Normal file
View file

@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
What is Python?
---------------
Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming
language. It incorporates modules, exceptions, dynamic typing, very
high level dynamic data types, and classes. Python combines
remarkable power with very clear syntax. It has interfaces to many
system calls and libraries, as well as to various window systems, and
is extensible in C or C++. It is also usable as an extension language
for applications that need a programmable interface. Finally, Python
is portable: it runs on many brands of UNIX, on the Mac, and on
MS-DOS.
As a short example of what Python looks like, here's a script to
print prime numbers (not blazingly fast, but readable!). When this
file is made executable, it is callable directly from the UNIX shell
(if your system supports #! in scripts and the python interpreter is
installed at the indicated place).
#!/usr/local/bin/python
# Print prime numbers in a given range
def main():
import sys
min, max = 2, 0x7fffffff
if sys.argv[1:]:
min = int(eval(sys.argv[1]))
if sys.argv[2:]:
max = int(eval(sys.argv[2]))
primes(min, max)
def primes(min, max):
if 2 >= min: print 2
primes = [2]
i = 3
while i <= max:
for p in primes:
if i%p == 0 or p*p > i: break
if i%p <> 0:
primes.append(i)
if i >= min: print i
i = i+2
main()

122
Misc/BLURB.LUTZ Normal file
View file

@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
Newsgroups: comp.lang.perl,comp.lang.tcl
From: lutz@xvt.com (Mark Lutz)
Subject: Python (was Re: Has anyone done a tk addition to perl?)
Organization: XVT Software Inc.
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1993 17:10:37 GMT
X-Disclaimer: The views expressed in this message are those of an
individual at XVT Software Inc., and do not necessarily
reflect those of the company.
I've gotten a number of requests for information about Python,
since my post here earlier this week. Since this appears to be
of general interest, and since there's no python news group yet,
I'm posting a description here. I'm not the best authority on
the language, but here's my take on it.
[TCL/Perl zealots: this is informational only; I'm not trying to
'convert' anybody, and don't have time for a language war :-)
There is a paper comparing TCL/Perl/Python/Emacs-Lisp, which is
referenced in the comp.lang.misc faq, I beleive.]
What is Python?...
Python is a relatively new very-high-level language developed
in Amsterdam. Python is a simple, procedural language, with
features taken from ABC, Icon, Modula-3, and C/C++.
It's central goal is to provide the best of both worlds:
the dynamic nature of scripting languages like Perl/TCL/REXX,
but also support for general programming found in the more
traditional languages like Icon, C, Modula,...
As such, it can function as a scripting/extension language,
as a rapid prototyping language, and as a serious software
development language. Python is suitable for fast development
of large programs, but also does well at throw-away shell coding.
Python resembles other scripting languages a number of ways:
- dynamic, interpretive, interactive nature
- no explicit compile or link steps needed
- no type declarations (it's dynamically typed)
- high-level operators ('in', concatenation, etc)
- automatic memory allocation/deallocation (no 'pointers')
- high level objects: lists, tuples, strings, associative arrays
- programs can construct and execute program code using strings
- very fast edit/compile/run cycle; no static linking
- well-defined interface to and from C functions and data
- well-defined ways to add C modules to the system and language
Python's features that make it useful for serious programming:
- it's object-oriented; it has a simplified subset of
C++'s 'class' facility, made more useful by python's
dynamic typing; the language is object-oriented from
the ground up (rather than being an add-on, as in C++)
- it supports modules (imported packages, as in Modula-3);
modules replace C's 'include' files and linking, and allow
for multiple-module systems, code sharing, etc.;
- it has a good exception handling system (a 'try' statement,
and a 'raise' statement, with user-defined exceptions);
- it's orthogonal; everything is a first-class object in the
language (functions, modules, classes, class instance methods...)
and can be assigned/passed and used generically;
- it's fairly run-time secure; it does many run-time checks
like index-out-of-bounds, etc., that C usually doesn't;
- it has general data structuring support; Python lists are
heterogeneous, variable length, nestable, support slicing,
concatenation, etc., and come into existance and are reclaimed
automatically; strings and dictionaries are similarly general;
- it's got a symbolic debugger and profiler (written in python,
of course..), and an interactive command-line interface;
as in Lisp, you can enter code and test functions in isolation,
from the interactive command line (even linked C functions);
- it has a large library of built-in modules; it has support
for sockets, regular expressions, posix bindings, etc.
- it supports dynamic loading of C modules on many platforms;
- it has a _readable_ syntax; python code looks like normal
programming languages; tcl and perl can be very unreadable
(IMHO; what was that joke about Perl looking the same after
rot13..); python's syntax is simple, and statement based;
Of course, Python isn't perfect, but it's a good compromise betweem
scripting languages and traditional ones, and so is widely applicable.
'Perfect' languages aren't always useful for real-world tasks (Prolog,
for example), and languages at either extreme are not useful in the other
domain (C is poor for shell coding and prototyping, and awk is useless
for large systems design; Python does both well).
For example, I've used Python successfully for a 4K line expert system
shell project; it would have been at least twice as large in C, and would
have been very difficult in TCL or Perl.
Python uses an indentation-based syntax which may seem unusual at first
to C coders, but after using it I have found it to be _very_ handy, since
there's less to type. [I now forget to type '}' in my C code, and am
busy calculating how much time I wasted typing all those '}', 'END', etc.,
just to pander to 'brain-dead' C/Pascal compilers :-)].
Python's currently at release 0.9.9. It seems suprisingly stable.
The first 'official' 1.0 release is due out by the end of this year.
Python runs on most popular machines/systems (mac, dos, unix, etc.)
It's public domain and distributable, and can be had via ftp. The
distribution includes examples, tutorials, and documentation. The
latest ftp address I have (I got it on a cd-rom):
pub/python/* at ftp.cwi.nl
pub/? at wuarchive.wustl.edu (in america)
There's a python mailing list maintained by the language's creator.
Mail 'python-list-request@cwi.nl' to get on it.
Mark Lutz
lutz@xvt.com

20
Misc/COPYRIGHT Normal file
View file

@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
Copyright 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 by Stichting Mathematisch Centrum,
Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
All Rights Reserved
Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software and its
documentation for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted,
provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies and that
both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in
supporting documentation, and that the names of Stichting Mathematisch
Centrum or CWI not be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to
distribution of the software without specific, written prior permission.
STICHTING MATHEMATISCH CENTRUM DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO
THIS SOFTWARE, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS, IN NO EVENT SHALL STICHTING MATHEMATISCH CENTRUM BE LIABLE
FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES
WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN
ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT
OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.

643
Misc/FAQ Normal file
View file

@ -0,0 +1,643 @@
Subject: FAQ: Python -- an object-oriented language
Newsgroups: comp.lang.misc,comp.answers,news.answers
Followup-to: comp.lang.misc
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: 1.2
Last-modified: 24 Jan 1994
This article contains answers to Frequently Asked Questions about
Python (an object-oriented interpreted programming language -- see
the answer to question 1.1 for a short overview).
Copyright 1993, 1994 Guido van Rossum. Unchanged electronic
redistribution of this FAQ is allowed. Printed redistribution only
with permission of the author. No warranties.
Author's address:
Guido van Rossum
CWI, dept. CST
Kruislaan 413
P.O. Box 94079
1090 GB Amsterdam
The Netherlands
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.
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.
The name under which a FAQ is archived appears in the Archive-name line
at the top of the article. This FAQ is archived as python-faq/part1.
There's a mail server on that machine which will send you files from
the archive by e-mail if you have no ftp access. You send a e-mail
message to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu containing the single word help in
the message body to receive instructions.
This FAQ is divided in the following chapters:
1. General information and availability
2. Python in the real world
3. Building Python
4. Programming in Python
5. Extending Python
6. Python's design
7. Using Python on non-UNIX platforms
To find the start of a particular chapter, search for the chapter number
followed by a dot and a space at the beginning of a line (e.g. to
find chapter 4 in vi, type /^4\. /).
Here's an overview of the questions per chapter:
1. General information and availability
1.1. Q. What is Python?
1.2. Q. Why is it called Python?
1.3. Q. How do I obtain a copy of the Python source?
1.4. Q. How do I get documentation on Python?
1.5. Q. Is there a newsgroup or mailing list devoted to Python?
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?
2. Python in the real world
2.1. Q. How many people are using Python?
2.2. Q. Have any significant projects been done in Python?
2.3. Q. Are there any commercial projects going on using Python?
2.4. Q. What new developments are expected for Python in the future?
2.5. Q. How stable is Python?
2.6. Q. Any more future plans?
3. Building Python
3.1. Q. I have trouble building the md5 module and/or finding the file
md5.c.
3.2. Q. Is there a test set?
3.3. Q. When running the test set, I get complaints about floating point
operations, but when playing with floating point operations I cannot
find anything wrong with them.
3.4. Q. I get an OverflowError on evaluating 2*2. What is going on?
3.5. Q. Trouble building Python 0.9.9 on platform X.
4. Programming in Python
4.1. Q. Can I create an object class with some methods implemented in
C and others in Python (e.g. through inheritance)? (Also phrased as:
Can I use a built-in type as base class?)
4.2. Q. I assign to a variable in a call to exec() but when I try to
use it on the next line I get an error. What is going on?
4.3. Q. Why does that work?
4.4. Q. Is there a curses/termcap package for Python?
4.5. Q. Is there an equivalent to C's onexit() in Python?
4.6. Q. When I define a function nested inside another function, the
nested function seemingly can't access the local variables of the
outer function. What is going on? How do I pass local data to a
nested function?
4.7. Q. How do I iterate over a sequence in reverse order?
4.8. Q. My program is too slow. How do I speed it up?
4.9. Q. When I have imported a module, then edit it, and import it
again (into the same Python process), the changes don't seem to take
place. What is going on?
5. Extending Python
5.1. Q. Can I create my own functions in C?
5.2. Q. Can I create my own functions in C++?
6. Python's design
6.1. Q. Why isn't there a generic copying operation for objects in
Python?
6.2. Q. Why isn't there a generic way to implement persistent objects
in Python? (Persistent == automatically saved to and restored from
disk.)
6.3. Q. Why isn't there a switch or case statement in Python?
7. Using Python on non-UNIX platforms
7.1. Q. Where's the DOS version of 0.9.9?
7.2. Q. Is there a Windows version of Python?
7.3. Q. I have the Mac or DOS version but it appears to be only a binary.
Where's the library?
7.4. Q. Where's the documentation for the Mac or DOS version?
7.5. Q. The Mac version doesn't seem to have any facilities for creating or
editing programs apart from entering it interactively, and there seems
to be no way to save code that was entered interactively. How do I
create a Python program on the Mac?
To find a particular question, search for the question number followed
by a dot, a space, and a Q at the beginning of a line (e.g. to find
question 4.2 in vi, type /^4\.2\. Q/).
1. General information and availability
=======================================
1.1. Q. What is Python?
A. Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming
language. It incorporates modules, exceptions, dynamic typing, very
high level dynamic data types, and classes. Python combines
remarkable power with very clear syntax. It has interfaces to many
system calls and libraries, as well as to various window systems, and
is extensible in C or C++. It is also usable as an extension language
for applications that need a programmable interface. Finally, Python
is portable: it runs on many brands of UNIX, on the Mac, and on
MS-DOS.
To find out more, the best thing to do is to start reading the
tutorial from the documentation set (see a few questions further
down).
1.2. Q. Why is it called Python?
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!
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 0.9.9. (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
0.9.9. (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:
Site IP address Directory
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)
Or try archie on e.g. python0.9.9.tar.Z 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.
There are plans to start the discussion about creation of
comp.lang.python as soon as version 1.0.0 has been released.
1.6. Q. Is there a book on Python, or will there be one out soon?
A. Unfortunately, not yet. I would like to write one but my
obligations at CWI include too much other work to make much progress
on it. Several parties have expressed interest in sponsoring or
helping the production of a book or reference manual, but so far there
are no firm plans. If you volunteer help, by all means drop me a
note!
1.7. Q. Are there any published articles about Python that I can quote?
A. So far the only refereed and published article that describes
Python in some detail is:
Guido van Rossum and Jelke de Boer, "Interactively Testing Remote
Servers Using the Python Programming Language", CWI Quarterly, Volume
4, Issue 4 (December 1991), Amsterdam, pp 283-303.
LaTeX source for this paper is available as part of the Python source
distribution.
A more recent high-level description of Python is:
Guido van Rossum, "An Introduction to Python for UNIX/C
Programmers", in the proceedings of the NLUUG najaarsconferentie
1993 (dutch UNIX users group meeting november 1993).
PostScript for this paper and for the slides used for the accompanying
presentation can be found in the ftp directory mentioned a few
questions earlier, with filenames nluug-paper.ps and nluug-slides.ps,
respectively.
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.
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.
The University of Virginia uses Python to control a virtual reality
engine. Contact: Matt Conway <conway@virginia.edu>.
See also the next question.
2.3. Q. Are there any commercial projects going on using Python?
A. Several companies have revealed to me that they are planning or
considering to use Python in a future product. The furthest is
Sunrise Software, who already have a product out using Python -- they
use Python for a GUI management application and an SNMP network
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).
Python has also been elected as an extension language by MADE, a
consortium supported by the European Committee's ESPRIT program and
consisting of Bull, CWI and some other European companies. Contact:
Ivan Herman <ivan@cwi.nl>.
2.4. Q. What new developments are expected for Python in the future?
A. I am almost ready to release version 1.0.0 -- it should be out by
the end of January 1994. It will have some new functionality and
bugfixes and be portable to more platforms. The directory tree
structure and build procedure will be radically different -- almost
all configuration is now done automatically, using GNU autoconf.
User-visible changes include: double-quoted strings, functional
programming operations (lambda, map, filter, reduce -- all evaluated
eagerly), exec becomes a statement, str() is customizable through
__str__ (used by print). The originally planned grand renaming scheme
will not be implemented because of lack of time. A beta version can
be ftp'ed from the usual sites, file python1.0.0beta.tar.Z.
2.5. Q. How stable is Python?
A. Very stable. While the current version number (0.9.9) would
suggest it is in the early stages of development, in fact new, stable
releases have been coming out every 3-6 months for the past three years.
2.6. Q. Any more future plans?
A. Without warranty that any of this will actually be realized: I am
currently thinking about mechanisms for built-in on-line help and a
switch/case statement. There are also some people (independently)
working on a windowing interface based on STDWIN but with the power
and ease of use of the average modern widget set. I still hope to get
some help in producing a Windows version. It would be nice if there
were a window-based class browser (Someone at CWI has contributed one
using Motif but it needs some work).
3. Building Python
==================
3.1. Q. I have trouble building the md5 module and/or finding the file
md5.c.
A. Apparently the md5 module was based on an older version of RSA's
md5 implementation. The ftp site rsa.com mentioned in the Makefile
where this version was found is no longer accessible, and the version
from RFC 1321 (md5c.c) is slightly different. This will be fixed in
the 1.0 release; write me if you need the fixes now.
3.2. Q. Is there a test set?
A. Yes, simply do "import testall" (or "import autotest" if you aren't
interested in the output). The standard modules whose name begins
with "test" together comprise the test. The test set doesn't test
*all* features of Python but it goes a long way to confirm that a new
port is actually working. The Makefile contains an entry "make test"
which runs the autotest module.
3.3. Q. When running the test set, I get complaints about floating point
operations, but when playing with floating point operations I cannot
find anything wrong with them.
A. The test set makes occasional unwarranted assumptions about the
semantics of C floating point operations. Until someone donates a
better floating point test set, you will have to comment out the
offending floating point tests and execute similar tests manually.
3.4. Q. I get an OverflowError on evaluating 2*2. What is going on?
A. Your machine probably has 64 bit long integers (e.g. DEC alpha or
HP snake architectures). There are some dependencies on word length
in file intobject.c. This will be corrected in the 1.0 release; until
then, on a 64 bit machine, just comment out the check for overflow
from int_mul:
#if 0
if (x > 0x7fffffff || x < (double) (long) 0x80000000)
return err_ovf("integer multiplication");
#endif
You should also include <limits.h> and replace the constant 32 by
LONG_BIT in int_[lr]shift.
3.5. Q. Trouble building Python 0.9.9 on platform X.
A. In the bootstrap phase (before you have built the first running
interpreter), make sure the -D settings in the Makefile are correct
for your system. In particular you may have to add or delete -DSYSV.
It may also be necessary to change the flags used to compile
posixmodule.c and timemodule.c; e.g. on AIX the following are
necessary:
posixmodule.c: -DHAVE_STDLIB -DNOALTTZ -DOLDTZ -Dunix -DSYSV -DDO_TIMES
timemodule.c: -DHAVE_STDLIB -DNOALTTZ -DOLDTZ -Uunix -DSYSV -DBSD_TIME
(Note the -Uunix for timemodule!)
Those switches for timemodule also require that the
#ifdef unix
#ifdef BSD_TIME
just above:
static long
millitimer()
( and below the "#endif /* macintosh */" version of millitimer
be changed to:
#if defined(unix) | defined(BSD_TIME)
#ifdef BSD_TIME
4. Programming in Python
========================
4.1. Q. Can I create an object class with some methods implemented in
C and others in Python (e.g. through inheritance)? (Also phrased as:
Can I use a built-in type as base class?)
A. No, but you can easily create a Python class which serves as a
wrapper around a built-in object, e.g. (for dictionaries):
# A user-defined class behaving almost identical
# to a built-in dictionary.
class UserDict:
def __init__(self): self.data = {}
def __repr__(self): return repr(self.data)
def __cmp__(self, dict):
if type(dict) == type(self.data):
return cmp(self.data, dict)
else:
return cmp(self.data, dict.data)
def __len__(self): return len(self.data)
def __getitem__(self, key): return self.data[key]
def __setitem__(self, key, item): self.data[key] = item
def __delitem__(self, key): del self.data[key]
def keys(self): return self.data.keys()
def items(self): return self.data.items()
def values(self): return self.data.values()
def has_key(self, key): return self.data.has_key(key)
4.2. Q. I assign to a variable in a call to exec() but when I try to
use it on the next line I get an error. What is going on?
A. The reason why this occurs is too complicated to explain (but see
the next question). To fix it is easy, however: simply assign None to
the variable *before* calling exec(). This will be fixed in the 1.0
release.
4.3. Q. Why does that work?
A. When parsing your program and converting it into internal pseudo
code, the interpreter does some optimizations to speed up function
execution: it figures out the names of all the local variables and
treats them specially. Because your assignment is done by exec(), it
is not seen initially by the parser and the variable is not recognized
as a local variable. The default treatment is as a global variable,
but the exec() statement places it in the local scope, where it is not
found. This will be fixed in release 1.0 by making exec into a
statement; the parser will then be able to switch off the
optimizations for local variables if it encounters an exec statement
(recognizing calls to built-in functions is not possible for the
parser, hence the syntax change to a statement).
4.4. Q. Is there a curses/termcap package for Python?
A. No, but you can use the "alfa" (== character cell) version of
STDWIN. (STDWIN == Standard Windows, a portable windowing system
interface by the same author, URL ftp://ftp.cwi.nl/pub/stdwin.)
This will also prepare your program for porting to windowing
environments such as X11 or the Macintosh.
4.5. Q. Is there an equivalent to C's onexit() in Python?
A. Yes, if you import sys and assign a function to sys.exitfunc, it
will be called when your program exits, is killed by an unhandled
exception, or (on UNIX) receives a SIGHUP or SIGTERM signal.
4.6. Q. When I define a function nested inside another function, the
nested function seemingly can't access the local variables of the
outer function. What is going on? How do I pass local data to a
nested function?
A. Python does not have arbitrarily nested scopes. When you need to
create a function that needs to access some data which you have
available locally, create a new class to hold the data and return a
method of an instance of that class, e.g.:
class MultiplierClass:
def __init__(self, factor):
self.factor = factor
def multiplier(self, argument):
return argument * self.factor
def generate_multiplier(factor):
return MultiplierClass(factor).multiplier
twice = generate_multiplier(2)
print twice(10)
# Output: 20
4.7. Q. How do I iterate over a sequence in reverse order?
A. If it is a list, the fastest solution is
list.reverse()
try:
for x in list:
"do something with x"
finally:
list.reverse()
This has the disadvantage that while you are in the loop, the list
is temporarily reversed. If you don't like this, you can make a copy.
This appears expensive but is actually faster than other solutions:
rev = list[:]
rev.reverse()
for x in rev:
<do something with x>
If it isn't a list, a more general but slower solution is:
i = len(list)
while i > 0:
i = i-1
x = list[i]
<do something with x>
A more elegant solution, is to define a class which acts as a sequence
and yields the elements in reverse order (solution due to Steve
Majewski):
class Rev:
def __init__(self, seq):
self.forw = seq
def __len__(self):
return len(self.forw)
def __getitem__(self, i):
return self.forw[-(i + 1)]
You can now simply write:
for x in Rev(list):
<do something with x>
Unfortunately, this solution is slowest of all, due the the method
call overhead...
4.8. Q. My program is too slow. How do I speed it up?
A. That's a tough one, in general. There are many tricks to speed up
Python code; I would consider rewriting parts in C only as a last
resort. One thing to notice is that function and (especially) method
calls are rather expensive; if you have designed a purely OO interface
with lots of tiny functions that don't do much more than get or set an
instance variable or call another method, you may consider using a
more direct way, e.g. directly accessing instance variables. Also see
the standard module "profile" (described in the file
"python/lib/profile.doc") which makes it possible to find out where
your program is spending most of its time (if you have some patience
-- the profiling itself can slow your program down by an order of
magnitude).
4.9. Q. When I have imported a module, then edit it, and import it
again (into the same Python process), the changes don't seem to take
place. What is going on?
A. For efficiency reasons, Python only reads the module file on the
first time a module is imported (otherwise a program consisting of
many modules, each of which imports the same basic module, would read
the basic module over and over again). To force a changed module
being read again, do this:
import modname
reload(modname)
Warning: this technique is not 100% fool-proof. In particular,
modules containing statements like
from modname import some_objects
will continue to work with the old version of the objects imported
thus.
5. Extending Python
===================
5.1. Q. Can I create my own functions in C?
A. Yes, you can create built-in modules containing functions,
variables, exceptions and even new types in C. This is all explained
in the file "python/misc/EXTENDING". Also read the file "DYNLOAD"
there for hints on how to load such extension modules
5.2. Q. Can I create my own functions in C++?
A. Yes, using the C-compatibility features found in C++. Basically
you place extern "C" { ... } around the Python include files and put
extern "C" before each function that is going to be called by the
Python interpreter. Global or static C++ objects with constructors
are probably not a good idea.
6. Python's design
==================
6.1. Q. Why isn't there a generic copying operation for objects in
Python?
A. Hmm. Maybe there should be one, but it's difficult to assign a
useful meaning to copying of open files, sockets and windows, or
recursive data structures. As long as you design all your classes
yourself you are of course free to define a standard base class that
defines an overridable copying operation for all the objects you care
about. (One practical point: it would have to be a built-in function,
not a standard method name, since not all built-in object types have
methods; e.g. strings, integers and tuples don't.)
6.2. Q. Why isn't there a generic way to implement persistent objects
in Python? (Persistent == automatically saved to and restored from
disk.)
A. Hmm, hmm. Basically for the same reasons as why there is no
generic copying operation.
6.3. Q. Why isn't there a switch or case statement in Python?
A. You can do this easily enough with a sequence of
if... elif... elif... else. There have been some proposals for switch
statement syntax, but there is no concensus (yet) on whether and how
to do range tests.
7. Using Python on non-UNIX platforms
=====================================
7.1. Q. Where's the DOS version of 0.9.9?
A. I hope it will be coming soon. A friend with a DOS machine and a
compiler has volunteered to build it but he's very busy. Until then,
you will have to make do with the 0.9.8 version (which isn't so bad,
actually).
7.2. Q. Is there a Windows version of Python?
A. Not yet. Several Windows hackers with C compilers are working on a
port though, so maybe we'll have one soon.
7.3. Q. I have the Mac or DOS version but it appears to be only a binary.
Where's the library?
A. You still need to copy the files from the distribution directory
"python/lib" to your system. If you don't have the full distribution,
you can ftp the file pythonlib0.9.9.tar.Z from site ftp.cwi.nl,
directory /pub/python; this is a subset of the distribution containing
just those file.
7.4. Q. Where's the documentation for the Mac or DOS version?
A. There isn't any. The documentation for the Unix version also
applies to the Mac and DOS versions. Where applicable, differences
are indicated in the text.
7.5. Q. The Mac version doesn't seem to have any facilities for creating or
editing programs apart from entering it interactively, and there seems
to be no way to save code that was entered interactively. How do I
create a Python program on the Mac?
A. Use an external editor. I am quite happy with the Desk Accessory
called Sigma Edit; this doesn't require Multifinder or 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.

69
Misc/Fixcprt.py Executable file
View file

@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
#! /usr/local/bin/python
import regex
import regsub
import glob
import sys
import os
import stat
import getopt
oldcprt = 'Copyright 1991, 1992, 1993 by Stichting Mathematisch Centrum,\nAmsterdam, The Netherlands.'
newcprt = 'Copyright 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 by Stichting Mathematisch Centrum,\nAmsterdam, The Netherlands.'
oldprog = regex.compile(oldcprt)
newprog = regex.compile(newcprt)
def main():
opts, args = getopt.getopt(sys.argv[1:], 'y:')
agelimit = 0L
for opt, arg in opts:
if opt == '-y':
agelimit = os.stat(arg)[stat.ST_MTIME]
if not args:
args = glob.glob('*.[ch]')
for file in args:
try:
age = os.stat(file)[stat.ST_MTIME]
except os.error, msg:
print file, ': stat failed :', msg
continue
if age <= agelimit:
print file, ': too old, skipped'
continue
try:
f = open(file, 'r')
except IOError, msg:
print file, ': open failed :', msg
continue
head = f.read(1024)
if oldprog.search(head) < 0:
if newprog.search(head) < 0:
print file, ': NO COPYRIGHT FOUND'
else:
print file, ': (new copyright already there)'
f.close()
continue
newhead = regsub.sub(oldcprt, newcprt, head)
data = newhead + f.read()
f.close()
try:
f = open(file + '.new', 'w')
except IOError, msg:
print file, ': creat failed :', msg
continue
f.write(data)
f.close()
try:
os.rename(file, file + '~')
except IOError, msg:
print file, ': rename to backup failed :', msg
continue
try:
os.rename(file + '.new', file)
except IOError, msg:
print file, ': rename from .new failed :', msg
continue
print file, ': copyright changed.'
main()

1400
Misc/HISTORY Normal file
View file

File diff suppressed because it is too large Load diff

10
Misc/Makefile Normal file
View file

@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
all:
@echo Nothing to make in this directory.
clean:
find . '(' -name '*.pyc' -o -name core -o -name '*~' \
-o -name '[@,#]*' -o -name '*.old' \
-o -name '*.orig' -o -name '*.rej' ')' \
-print -exec rm -f {} ';'
clobber: clean

20
Misc/README Normal file
View file

@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
Python Misc subdirectory
========================
This directory contains files that wouldn't fit in elsewhere, in
particular the UNIX manual page, an Emacs mode for Python source code,
and a list of Frequently Asked Questions (and their answers).
Files found here
----------------
BLURB A quick description of Python for newcomers
BLURB.LUTZ A very good blurb to show to TCL/Perl hackers
COPYING The GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENCE (needed because of autoconf)
COPYRIGHT The Python copyright notice
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions about Python (and answers)
Fixcprt.py Fix the copyright message (a yearly chore :-)
README The file you're reading now
fixfuncptrs.sh Shell script to fix function pointer initializers
python-mode.el Emacs mode for editing Python programs (thanks again, Tim!)
python.man UNIX man page for the python interpreter

114
Misc/RFD Normal file
View file

@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
To: python-list
Subject: comp.lang.python RFD again
From: Guido.van.Rossum@cwi.nl
I've followed the recent discussion and trimmed the blurb RFD down a bit
(and added the word "object-oriented" to the blurb).
I don't think it's too early to *try* to create the newsgroup --
whether we will succeed may depend on how many Python supporters there
are outside the mailing list.
I'm personally not worried about moderation, and anyway I haven't
heard from any volunteers for moderation (and I won't volunteer
myself) so I suggest that we'll continue to ask for one unmoderated
newsgroup.
My next action will be to post an updated FAQ (which will hint at the
upcoming RFD) to comp.lang.misc; then finalize the 1.0.0 release and
put it on the ftp site. I'll also try to get it into
comp.sources.unix or .misc. And all this before the end of January!
--Guido van Rossum, CWI, Amsterdam <Guido.van.Rossum@cwi.nl>
URL: <http://www.cwi.nl/cwi/people/Guido.van.Rossum.html>
======================================================================
These are the steps required (in case you don't know about the
newsgroup creation process):
First, we need to draw up an RFD (Request For Discussion). This is a
document that tells what the purpose of the group is, and gives a case
for its creation. We post this to relevant groups (comp.lang.misc,
the mailing list, news.groups, etc.) Discussion is held on
news.groups.
Then, after a few weeks, we run the official CFV (Call For Votes).
The votes are then collected over a period of weeks. We need 100 more
yes votes than no votes, and a 2/3 majority, to get the group.
There are some restrictions on the vote taker: [s]he cannot actively
campaign for/against the group during the vote process. So the main
benefit to Steve instead of me running the vote is that I will be free
to campaign for its creation!
The following is our current draft for the RFD.
======================================================================
Request For Discussion: comp.lang.python
Purpose
-------
The newsgroup will be for discussion on the Python computer language.
Possible topics include requests for information, general programming,
development, and bug reports. The group will be unmoderated.
What is Python?
---------------
Python is a relatively new very-high-level language developed in
Amsterdam. Python is a simple, object-oriented procedural language,
with features taken from ABC, Icon, Modula-3, and C/C++.
Its central goal is to provide the best of both worlds: the dynamic
nature of scripting languages like Perl/TCL/REXX, but also support for
general programming found in the more traditional languages like Icon,
C, Modula,...
Python may be FTP'd from the following sites:
ftp.cwi.nl in directory /pub/python (its "home site", also has a FAQ)
ftp.uu.net in directory /languages/python
gatekeeper.dec.com in directory /pub/plan/python/cwi
Rationale
---------
Currently there is a mailing list with over 130 subscribers.
The activity of this list is high, and to make handling the
traffic more reasonable, a newsgroup is being proposed. We
also feel that comp.lang.misc would not be a suitable forum
for this volume of discussion on a particular language.
Charter
-------
Comp.lang.python is an unmoderated newsgroup which will serve
as a forum for discussing the Python computer language. The
group will serve both those who just program in Python and
those who work on developing the language. Topics that
may be discussed include:
- announcements of new versions of the language and
applications written in Python.
- discussion on the internals of the Python language.
- general information about the language.
- discussion on programming in Python.
Discussion
----------
Any objections to this RFD will be considered and, if determined
to be appropriate, will be incorporated. The discussion period
will be for a period of 21 days after which the first CFV will be
issued.

47
Misc/fixfuncptrs.sh Executable file
View file

@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
prog='
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*tp_dealloc\*/\)$|\1(destructor)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*tp_print\*/\)$|\1(printfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*tp_getattr\*/\)$|\1(getattrfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*tp_setattr\*/\)$|\1(setattrfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*tp_compare\*/\)$|\1(cmpfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*tp_repr\*/\)$|\1(reprfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*tp_hash\*/\)$|\1(hashfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*sq_length\*/\)$|\1(inquiry)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*sq_concat\*/\)$|\1(binaryfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*sq_repeat\*/\)$|\1(intargfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*sq_item\*/\)$|\1(intargfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*sq_slice\*/\)$|\1(intintargfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*sq_ass_item\*/\)$|\1(intobjargproc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*sq_ass_slice\*/\)$|\1(intintobjargproc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*mp_length\*/\)$|\1(inquiry)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*mp_subscript\*/\)$|\1(binaryfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*mp_ass_subscript\*/\)$|\1(objobjargproc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*nb_nonzero*\*/\)$|\1(inquiry)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*nb_coerce*\*/\)$|\1(coercion)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*nb_negative*\*/\)$|\1(unaryfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*nb_positive*\*/\)$|\1(unaryfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*nb_absolute*\*/\)$|\1(unaryfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*nb_invert*\*/\)$|\1(unaryfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*nb_int*\*/\)$|\1(unaryfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*nb_long*\*/\)$|\1(unaryfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*nb_float*\*/\)$|\1(unaryfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*nb_oct*\*/\)$|\1(unaryfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*nb_hex*\*/\)$|\1(unaryfunc)\2 \3|
s|^\([ ]*\)\([a-z_]*,\)[ ]*\(/\*nb_[a-z]*\*/\)$|\1(binaryfunc)\2 \3|
'
for file
do
sed -e "$prog" $file >$file.new || break
if cmp -s $file $file.new
then
echo $file unchanged; rm $file.new
else
echo $file UPDATED
mv $file $file~
mv $file.new $file
fi
done

1601
Misc/python-mode-old.el Normal file
View file

File diff suppressed because it is too large Load diff

BIN
Misc/python.gif Normal file
View file

Binary file not shown.
Side by side

After

Width:  |  Height:  |  Size: 7.2 KiB

247
Misc/python.man Normal file
View file

@ -0,0 +1,247 @@
.TH PYTHON "3 January 1994"
.SH NAME
python \- an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming language
.SH SYNOPSIS
.B python
[
.I X11-options
]
[
.B \-d
]
[
.B \-i
]
[
.B \-k
]
[
.B \-v
]
[
.B \-c
.I command
|
.I script
|
\-
]
[
.I arguments
]
.SH DESCRIPTION
Python is an interpreted, interactive, object-oriented programming
language that combines remarkable power with very clear syntax.
For an introduction to programming in Python you are referred to the
Python Tutorial.
The Python Library Reference documents built-in and standard types,
constants, functions and modules.
Finally, the Python Reference Manual describes the syntax and
semantics of the core language in (perhaps too) much detail.
.PP
Python's basic power can be extended with your own modules written in
C or C++.
On some (most?) systems such modules may be dynamically loaded.
Python is also adaptable as an extension language for existing
applications.
See the internal documentation for hints.
.SH COMMAND LINE OPTIONS
.TP
.TP
.B \-d
Turn on parser debugging output (for wizards only, depending on
compilation options).
.B \-i
When a script is passed as first argument or the \fB\-c\fP option is
used, enter interactive mode after executing the script or the
command. This can be useful to inspect global variables or a stack
trace when a script raises an exception.
.TP
.B \-i
When executing a program from a file, this option enters interactive
mode after the program has completed. It does not read the
$PYTHONSTARTUP file.
.TP
.B \-k
This hack, eh, feature is intended to help you to find expression
statements that print a value. Although a feature of the language, it
can sometimes be annoying that when a function is called which returns
a value that is not
.IR None ,
the value is printed to standard output, and it is not always easy to
find which statement is the cause of an unwanted `1', for instance.
When this option is set, if an expression statement prints its value,
the exception
.I RuntimeError
is raised. The resulting stack trace will help you to track down the
culprit.
.TP
.B \-v
Print a message each time a module is initialized, showing the place
(filename or built-in module) from which it is loaded.
.TP
.BI "\-c " command
Specify the command to execute (see next section).
This terminates the option list (following options are passed as
arguments to the command).
.PP
When the interpreter is configured to contain the
.I stdwin
built-in module for use with the X window system, additional command
line options common to most X applications are recognized (by STDWIN),
e.g.
.B \-display
.I displayname
and
.B \-geometry
.I widthxheight+x+y.
The complete set of options is described in the STDWIN documentation.
.SH INTERPRETER INTERFACE
The interpreter interface resembles that of the UNIX shell: when
called with standard input connected to a tty device, it prompts for
commands and executes them until an EOF is read; when called with a
file name argument or with a file as standard input, it reads and
executes a
.I script
from that file;
when called with
.B \-c
.I command,
it executes the Python statement(s) given as
.I command.
Here
.I command
may contain multiple statements separated by newlines.
Leading whitespace is significant in Python statements!
In non-interactive mode, the entire input is parsed befored it is
executed.
.PP
If available, the script name and additional arguments thereafter are
passed to the script in the Python variable
.I sys.argv ,
which is a list of strings (you must first
.I import sys
to be able to access it).
If no script name is given,
.I sys.argv
is empty; if
.B \-c
is used,
.I sys.argv[0]
contains the string
.I '-c'.
Note that options interpreter by the Python interpreter or by STDWIN
are not placed in
.I sys.argv.
.PP
In interactive mode, the primary prompt is `>>>'; the second prompt
(which appears when a command is not complete) is `...'.
The prompts can be changed by assignment to
.I sys.ps1
or
.I sys.ps2.
The interpreter quits when it reads an EOF at a prompt.
When an unhandled exception occurs, a stack trace is printed and
control returns to the primary prompt; in non-interactive mode, the
interpreter exits after printing the stack trace.
The interrupt signal raises the
.I Keyboard\%Interrupt
exception; other UNIX signals are not caught (except that SIGPIPE is
sometimes ignored, in favor of the
.I IOError
exception). Error messages are written to stderr.
.SH FILES AND DIRECTORIES
These are subject to difference depending on local installation
conventions:
.IP /usr/local/bin/python
Recommended location of the interpreter.
.IP /usr/local/lib/python
Recommended location of the directory containing the standard modules.
.SH ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
.IP PYTHONPATH
Augments the default search path for module files.
The format is the same as the shell's $PATH: one or more directory
pathnames separated by colons.
Non-existant directories are silently ignored.
The default search path is installation dependent, but always begins
with `.', (for example,
.I .:/usr/local/lib/python ).
The default search path is appended to $PYTHONPATH.
The search path can be manipulated from within a Python program as the
variable
.I sys.path .
.IP PYTHONSTARTUP
If this is the name of a readable file, the Python commands in that
file are executed before the first prompt is displayed in interactive
mode.
The file is executed in the same name space where interactive commands
are executed so that objects defined or imported in it can be used
without qualification in the interactive session.
You can also change the prompts
.I sys.ps1
and
.I sys.ps2
in this file.
.IP PYTHONDEBUG
If this is set to a non-empty string it is equivalent to specifying
the \fB\-d\fP option.
.IP PYTHONINSPECT
If this is set to a non-empty string it is equivalent to specifying
the \fB\-i\fP option.
.IP PYTHONKILLPRINT
If this is set to a non-empty string it is equivalent to specifying
the \fB\-k\fP option.
.IP PYTHONVERBOSE
If this is set to a non-empty string it is equivalent to specifying
the \fB\-v\fP option.
.SH SEE ALSO
Python Tutorial
.br
Python Library Reference
.br
Python Reference Manual
.br
STDWIN under X11
.SH BUGS AND CAVEATS
The first time
.I stdwin
is imported, it initializes the STDWIN library.
If this initialization fails, e.g. because the display connection
fails, the interpreter aborts immediately.
.SH AUTHOR
.nf
Guido van Rossum
CWI (Centrum voor Wiskunde en Informatica)
P.O. Box 4079
1009 AB Amsterdam
The Netherlands
.PP
E-mail: Guido.van.Rossum@cwi.nl
.fi
.SH MAILING LIST
There is a mailing list devoted to Python programming, bugs and
design.
To subscribe, send mail containing your real name and e-mail address
in Internet form to
.I python-list-request@cwi.nl.
.SH COPYRIGHT
Copyright 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 by Stichting Mathematisch Centrum,
Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
.IP " "
All Rights Reserved
.PP
Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software and its
documentation for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted,
provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies and that
both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in
supporting documentation, and that the names of Stichting Mathematisch
Centrum or CWI not be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to
distribution of the software without specific, written prior permission.
STICHTING MATHEMATISCH CENTRUM DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO
THIS SOFTWARE, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS, IN NO EVENT SHALL STICHTING MATHEMATISCH CENTRUM BE LIABLE
FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES
WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN
ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT
OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.

108
Misc/renumber.py Executable file
View file

@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
#! /usr/local/bin/python
# Renumber the Python FAQ
import string
import regex
import sys
import os
FAQ = 'FAQ'
chapterprog = regex.compile('^\([1-9][0-9]*\)\. ')
questionprog = regex.compile('^\([1-9][0-9]*\)\.\([1-9][0-9]*\)\. ')
newquestionprog = regex.compile('^Q\. ')
blankprog = regex.compile('^[ \t]*$')
indentedorblankprog = regex.compile('^\([ \t]+\|[ \t]*$\)')
def main():
print 'Reading lines...'
lines = open(FAQ, 'r').readlines()
print 'Renumbering in memory...'
oldlines = lines[:]
after_blank = 1
chapter = 0
question = 0
chapters = ['\n']
questions = []
for i in range(len(lines)):
line = lines[i]
if after_blank:
n = chapterprog.match(line)
if n >= 0:
chapter = chapter + 1
question = 0
line = `chapter` + '. ' + line[n:]
lines[i] = line
chapters.append(' ' + line)
questions.append('\n')
questions.append(' ' + line)
afterblank = 0
continue
n = questionprog.match(line)
if n < 0: n = newquestionprog.match(line) - 3
if n >= 0:
question = question + 1
line = '%d.%d. '%(chapter, question) + line[n:]
lines[i] = line
questions.append(' ' + line)
# Add up to 4 continuations of the question
for j in range(i+1, i+5):
if blankprog.match(lines[j]) >= 0:
break
questions.append(' '*(n+2) + lines[j])
afterblank = 0
continue
afterblank = (blankprog.match(line) >= 0)
print 'Inserting list of chapters...'
chapters.append('\n')
for i in range(len(lines)):
line = lines[i]
if regex.match(
'^This FAQ is divided in the following chapters',
line) >= 0:
i = i+1
while 1:
line = lines[i]
if indentedorblankprog.match(line) < 0:
break
del lines[i]
lines[i:i] = chapters
break
else:
print '*** Can\'t find header for list of chapters'
print '*** Chapters found:'
for line in chapters: print line,
print 'Inserting list of questions...'
questions.append('\n')
for i in range(len(lines)):
line = lines[i]
if regex.match('^Here.s an overview of the questions',
line) >= 0:
i = i+1
while 1:
line = lines[i]
if indentedorblankprog.match(line) < 0:
break
del lines[i]
lines[i:i] = questions
break
else:
print '*** Can\'t find header for list of questions'
print '*** Questions found:'
for line in questions: print line,
if lines == oldlines:
print 'No changes.'
return
print 'Writing new file...'
f = open(FAQ + '.new', 'w')
for line in lines:
f.write(line)
f.close()
print 'Making backup...'
os.rename(FAQ, FAQ + '~')
print 'Moving new file...'
os.rename(FAQ + '.new', FAQ)
print 'Done.'
main()