[Python-3000] PEP 3108 and the demise of bsddb3

[Guido van Rossum]

[I don't know who added my Google address to the CC list. Please don't
do that again.]

On Thu, Sep 4, 2008 at 10:07 AM, Barry Warsaw <barry at python.org> wrote:
> On Sep 4, 2008, at 12:20 PM, Jesus Cea wrote:
>
>> I'm a bit worried about you restoring bsddb and be pulled-off shortly
>> again if I can't resolve any remaining issues in minutes :). But I would
>> take the risk.
>
> Don't worry about that.  Guido's decision will be binding for 3.0.

I am still in favor of removing bsddb from Python 3.0. It depends on a
3rd party library of enormous complexity whose stability cannot always
be taken for granted. Arguments about code ownership, release cycles,
bugbot stability and more all point towards keeping it separate. I
consider it no different in nature than 3rd party UI packages (e.g.
wxPython or PyQt) or relational database bindings (e.g. the MySQL or
PostgreSQL bindings): very useful to a certain class of users, but
outside the scope of the core distribution.

Python 3.0 is a perfect opportunity to say goodbye to bsddb as a
standard library component. For apps that depend on it, it is just a
download away -- deprecating in 3.0 and removal in 3.1 would actually
send the *wrong* message, since it is very much alive! I am grateful
for Jesus to have taken over maintenance, and hope that the package
blossoms in its newfound freedom.

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