[Python-Dev] standard libraries don't behave like standard 'libraries'

[Sriram Srinivasan]

you were thinking wrong. If suppose this feature is introduced it doesn't
mean python will become batteries removed!
you can ship the python release with the 'standard library packages' already
installed.
so what we get here is batteries included and ability to be changed after it
is discharged! ;) users did not get this feature before. what we experience
now is like 'use and throw' not the batteries but the whole python
distribution (like torchlight/flashlight) itself.
also users might get the ability to include other batteries too.

also say for example some X company wants its own python distribution
(including the standard libraries).
they may have the standard libraries removed or another custom library on
top of it (forget performance here). Now if the standard libraries were
available as packages a new version may be installed and tested at no time.
but if they get it by every release, there comes the problem.

this not only makes things easier on both sides (releasing side and user
side) it also makes the whole system transparent.
even patches for standard libraries may be available as soon as a bug has
been found, but not with the current system as Kevin mentioned.

say for example we take an opensouce project, the linux kernel as example.(
dont compare kernel with python each work differently and both scales are
not equal) just think it was another opensource software. i can say mostly
where there linux there is python (not talking about windows,embedded etc,
both software go hand in hand, so i took it for comparison). if there is a
bug/security issue found on the linux the patches are available in
days/mostly by the end of next week. but for python it must take more time.
may be some backward incompatible issue also comes along with it(eg. py3)
then they have to wait for the dependencies being updated. i am only
comparing the packaging and distributing system here not the softwares.
althought the rate at which the kernel development is at a very high scale,
the system is stable. and that is how open source works. every body can have
look into everything. that is what makes open source software best. if it
were (libraries) released as packages, by the time i install the patch
package, i may also get the patch package of the dependency too.


-- 

Regards,
Sriram.
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