[Python-Dev] Status of PEP 397 - Python launcher for Windows

[martin at v.loewis.de]

Zitat von Mark Hammond <skippy.hammond at gmail.com>:

> I'm wondering what thoughts are on PEP 397, the Python launcher for  
> Windows.  I've been using the implementation for a number of months  
> now and I find it incredibly useful.

I wonder what the rationale for the PEP (as opposed to the rationale
for the launcher) is - why do you need to have a PEP for it? As
written, it specifies some "guidelines" that some software package
of yours might adhere to. You don't need a PEP for that, just write
the software and adhere to the guidelines, possibly putting them into
the documentation.

A PEP needs to have controversial issues, or else there would not
have been a point in writing it in the first place. Also, it needs
to concern CPython, or the Python language, else it does not need to
be a *P*EP.

To be a proper PEP, you need to include these things:
- what is the action that you want to see taken?
- what is the Python version (or versions) that you
   want to see the action taken for?
- what alternative actions have been proposed, and what
   are (in your opinion, and the opinion of readers) pros
   and cons of each action?

Assuming you are proposing some future action for CPython,
I'm opposed to the notion that the implementation of the
launcher is the specification. The specification needs to be
in the PEP. It may leave room, in which case the remaining
details need to be specified in the documentation.

A critical question (IMO) is the question how the launcher
gets onto systems. Will people have to download and install
it themselves, or will it come as part of some Python
distribution? If it comes with the Python distribution,
how get multiple copies of the launcher coordinated?

Also: what's the name of the launcher? How can I actually use
it?

Regards,
Martin