[Python-Dev] Moving Python 3.5 on Windows to a new compiler

[Sturla Molden]

Brian Curtin <brian at python.org> wrote:

> Adding features into 3.x is already not enough of a carrot on the
> stick for many users. Intentionally leaving 2.7 on a dead compiler is
> like beating them with the stick.

Those who want to build extensions on Windows will just use MinGW
(currently GCC 2.8.2) instead. 

NumPy and SciPy are planning a switch to a GCC based toolchain with static
linkage of the MinGW runtime on Windows.  It is carefully configured to be
binary compatible with VS2008 on Python 2.7. The major reason for this is
to use gfortran also on Windows. But the result will be a GCC based
toolchain that anyone can use to build extensions on Windows.

Sturla