[Distutils] How to detect if C compiler installed?

[Michael Hudson]

Frank McIngvale <frankm@hiwaay.net> writes:

> Hi, I was wondering if there is a portable
> way to determine if a C compiler is available for
> compiling extensions. I'm working on a package
> that has some extensions that aren't strictly
> required, and I'd like to turn on/off building
> them based on whether a C compiler is available.
> 
> (I know how to do the turn on/off thing, I just
> need to know how to check for a C compiler.)
> 
> Any hints?

Try it and catch an exception?  I don't think there's a mechanism for
asking (could be wrong though).

Cheers,
M.

-- 
  There are 'infinite' number of developed artifacts and one cannot
  develop appreciation for them all.  It would be all right to not
  understand something, but it would be imbecilic to put judgements
  on things one don't understand.               -- Xah, comp.lang.lisp