[capi-sig] Deploying embedded Python

[Andreas Raab]

Hi -

I'm currently looking into a few deployment issues with our embedded 
Python interpreter and I'm looking for any information about deploying 
embedded Python that people may have. Specifically, I'm looking for the 
following information:

1) How to define a useful subset of the stdlib that can serve as an 
initial basis for the installation but later allows upgrade to the 
"full" library if desirable. In other words, I'd like to deploy a small 
subset of the stdlib to begin with (simply because of size constraints) 
which may later be extended to a full stdlib if this is desirable. Has 
someone done this before? I'd love to have a small "Python.zip" 
cross-platform stdlib surrogate that just gets shipped with the product. 
If not, what is the right starting point for analyzing the dependencies 
inside the stdlib?

2) How to isolate the embedded interpreter from environmental effects. I 
have found that on occasion, the interpreter would pick up "stray" 
installations which can cause weird problems. Which environmental 
settings affect the startup of an embedded Python interpreter? How does 
one work around/remove those dependencies? Is there any information 
available about how exactly the startup works? What is being read/loaded 
in which order etc?

3) General advice about deploying embedded Python. Pointers to web 
sites, general experience (good or bad) etc. are all very welcome.

Thanks,
   - Andreas