[Python-ideas] size of the installation of Python on mobile devices

[Victor Stinner]

2016-07-28 18:30 GMT+02:00 Xavier de Gaye <xdegaye at gmail.com>:
> Issue 26852 [1] proposes an enhancement to reduce the size of the Python
> installation by using a sourceless distribution. It seems that
> discussion on this problem (the size of the Python installation on
> mobile devices) should be moved here.
>
> IMHO there is no need to debate on the fact that a full install of
> Python on a mobile device today is a problem.

FYI size does also matter on server: it became an important for cloud
and container images. See for example the "System Python" idea of
Fedora which comes with a truncated standard library:
https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Changes/System_Python

Extract:
"""
- system-python-libs - a subset of standard Python library considered
essential to run "system tools" requiring Python
- system-python - /usr/libexec/system-python binary (interpreter) for
the tools to be able to run, provides system-python(abi)
- python3-libs brings in the remaining subset of standard Python library (...)
(...)
"""


> It would be useful to find the references to the previous discussions
> related to sourceless distributions, especially the reasons why their
> use is discouraged.

I worked on embeded devices, and truncating the stanard library is a
common and *mandatory* practice.

Victor