[Python-Dev] Distutils and Distribute roadmap (and some words on Virtualenv, Pip)

[Tres Seaver]

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Tarek Ziadé wrote:

> = Virtualenv and the multiple version support in Distribute =
> 
> (I am not saying "We" here because this part was not discussed yet
> with everyone)
> 
> Virtualenv allows you to create an isolated environment to install
> some distribution without polluting the
> main site-packages, a bit like a user site-packages.
> 
> My opinion is that this tool exists only because Python doesn't
> support the installation of multiple versions for the same
> distributions.
> But if PEP 376 and PEP 386 support are added in Python, we're not far
> from being able to provide multiple version support with
> the help of importlib.

I couldn't disagree more strongly:  I don't *want* multiple version
support:  compared to the simplicity of a virtualenv, adding such a
complex feature would be a huge backward step.

The idea that the "system" python should be polluted with whatever-any-
random-app-decides-to-throw-into-it is a source of endless pain,
confusion, and hair loss.


Tres.
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Tres Seaver          +1 540-429-0999          tseaver at palladion.com
Palladion Software   "Excellence by Design"    http://palladion.com
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