[IronPython] Announcing IronPython 2.6 CTP for .NET 4.0 Beta 1

[Dave Fugate]

Hello Python Community,

We're quite pleased to announce the release of "IronPython 2.6 CTP for .NET 4.0 Beta 1".  This is our second preview of IronPython running under the Dynamic Language Runtime that is built directly into a .NET 4.0 release!  As before, this release allows you to use IronPython objects and types as .NET 4.0 dynamic objects from within C# and Visual Basic code.  While this release does share a bit in common with the upcoming IronPython 2.6 Beta 1 release (e.g., a number of MSI improvements), the core functionality is essentially that of IronPython 2.6 Alpha 1.  Please also note that "IronPython 2.6 CTP for .NET 4.0 Beta 1" will run only under .NET 4.0 Beta 1.

Here's a small example showing just how powerful the new dynamic feature is for taking advantage of dynamic language functionality in statically typed languages:
    <mock.py>
        import random, math

        class Mock(object):
            def __getattr__(self, key):
                """Mock objects of this type will dynamically implement any requested member"""
                return random.choice(["hello world", math.pi])
     </mock.py>

    <dynamic_demo.cs>
        using System;
        using IronPython.Hosting;
        using Microsoft.Scripting.Hosting;

        public class dynamic_demo {
            static void Main() {
               var ipy = Python.CreateRuntime();
               dynamic mock = ipy.UseFile("mock.py");
               dynamic m = mock.Mock();
               //The Python Mock type dynamically implements any member that is requested of it
               System.Console.WriteLine(m.the_csharp_compiler_cannot_possbily_know_this_member_exists_at_compile_time);
            }
        }
    <dynamic_demo.cs>


To try out this preview release:

1.       Install some variant of .NET 4.0 Beta 1 or Visual Studio 2010 Beta 1.  E.g., http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ee2118cc-51cd-46ad-ab17-af6fff7538c9&displaylang=en

2.       Install IronPython.msi from http://ironpython.codeplex.com/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=27320

3.       Follow any of the many dynamic walkthroughs online.  http://blogs.msdn.com/vbteam/archive/2008/12/17/walkthrough-dynamic-programming-in-visual-basic-10-0-and-c-4-0-lisa-feigenbaum.aspx would be a good start

Have fun!

The IronPython Team
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