[Python-Dev] PEP 384 status

[Neil Hodgson]

M.-A. Lemburg:

> Is it possible to have multiple versions of the lib C loaded
> on Windows ?

   Yes. It is possible not only to mix C runtimes from different
vendors but different variants from a single vendor.

   Historically, each vendor has shipped their own C runtime
libraries. This was also the case with CP/M and OS/2.

   Many applications can be extended with DLLs and if it were not
possible to load DLLs which use different runtimes then that would
limit which compilers can be used to extend particular applications.
If Microsoft were to stop DLLs compiled with Borland or Intel from
working inside Internet Explorer or Excel then there would be
considerable controversy and likely anti-trust actions.

   Neil