[Python-Dev] Python and the Linux Standard Base (LSB)

[Fredrik Lundh]

Martin v. Löwis wrote:

>> Like I said, it's possible to split Python without making things
>> complicated for newbies.
> 
> You may have that said, but I don't believe its truth. For example,
> most distributions won't include Tkinter in the "standard" Python
> installation: Tkinter depends on _tkinter depends on Tk depends on
> X11 client libraries. Since distributors want to make X11 client
> libraries optional, they exclude Tkinter. So people wonder why
> they can't run Tkinter applications (search comp.lang.python for
> proof that people wonder about precisely that).

comp.lang.python only represents a *very* tiny fraction of the python 
universe, though.  I'd be much more interested in hearing from people 
tracking distribution-specific forums.

> I don't think the current packaging tools can solve this newbie
> problem. It might be solvable if installation of X11 libraries
> would imply installation of Tcl, Tk, and Tkinter: people running
> X (i.e. most desktop users) would see Tkinter installed, yet
> it would be possible to omit Tkinter.

I think this is a way too python-centric view of things.

maybe we could just ask distributors to prepare a page that describes 
what portions of the standard distribution they do include, and in what 
packages they've put the various components, and link to those from the 
library reference and/or the wiki or FAQ?  is there perhaps some 
machine-readable format that could be used for this?

</F>