[Python-Dev] Use dlopen() on Darwin/OS X to load extensions?

[Zachary Pincus]

Hi folks,

I submitted a patch a little while ago to led Python on Darwin/OS X  
use the same code path to load extensions it uses on most other Unix- 
like platforms. (The reasons for this are several, and mentioned in  
the patch: http://sourceforge.net/tracker/index.php? 
func=detail&aid=1454844&group_id=5470&atid=305470 ).

Anyhow, IMO if this patch is to be included at all (I rather think it  
should, and will happily discuss that on this list or on the patch  
comments to clarify why this is so), it probably ought to make it  
into python 2.5 earlier rather than later. While I'm almost certain  
that these changes will cause no issues (as Apple officially  
encourages use of dlopen() as a drop-in replacement for the  
officially 'discouraged' NeXT-derived functions that Python now uses  
to load extensions), it would seem more prudent to give a low-level  
change like this plenty of time to settle out in case I am wrong.

I've run this by the python-mac folks, and there seemed to be some  
assent, or at least no complaint. Bob Ippolito appeared to think that  
this approach was the best to making Python on the Mac load  
extensions properly in some corner cases (see the patch description  
for more details), but he hasn't weighted in for a while.

Sorry if it's bad form to ask about patches one has submitted -- let  
me know if that sort of discussion should be kept strictly on the  
patch tracker.


Zach Pincus

Program in Biomedical Informatics and Department of Biochemistry
Stanford University School of Medicine