[Python-3000] Python 3.0a2 release

[Christian Heimes]

Paul Moore wrote:
[snip]
> I will help in addressing this issue, but I am limited in my ability
> to do so, as I cannot build Python itself (that *does* need full VS
> 2005/2008, as I understand it) and so all I have to go with is the
> snapshot builds (which use VS 2003, and so don't help...)
> 
> Paul.

Have you tried to compile py3k with the express edition of VS 2008 Beta
2? I used the free express edition for my first experiments and it
compiled Python 3.0 just fine. I moved to the standard edition to test
some additional features like PGO and 64bit builds.

I'm not sure but I strongly believe that the express edition is able to
build 32bit builds of Python. As far as I know the express edition can't
build PGO and 64bit builds. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

> PS To be honest, I'd like to see Python itself buildable with the free
> MS tools, but I don't have time to work on that and so that's more of
> a dream than a reasonable request to make :-)

Isn't the express edition the successor of the free MS compiler suite?
I've installed the free command line compiler in the past. It took quite
some effort and I had to collect the pieces all over the internet
because MS doesn't offer the old 7.1 compiler suite any more.

Christian