[Pythonmac-SIG] RE: New Start Proposal: NXPython

[Byron Formwalt]

Objective-C Advocacy:

I should point out two important distinctions between the proposed NXPython
and existing Python implementations.  NXPython will adhere to every letter
of the Python language.  However, it will have a radically different API
than the current open source Python implementations share.  For one, the API
will be in Objective-C.  This is why I mentioned the need to provide the
semi-automated wrapping utility.  Obj-C enthusiasts wishing to write new
modules may do so with ease, using Apple's modified gcc to extending
NXPython with Obj-C frameworks.  At the same time, this does not preclude
traditional users from auto-wrapping their existing legacy extensions.
Since Cocoa is only available to Java and Obj-C programmers, this seemed
like the most reasonable path to take for future Python implementations on
the Mac.  While Python could remain only in C, it makes more sense to take
advantage of the inherent objective nature in Obj-C to implement the
objective nature of Python.

Objective-C Portability:

The other thing I wanted to point out, in case some may not be aware, is
that the Obj-C source code for GCC compiler is available at GNU, and has
been successfully compiled for Linux, Un*x, cgwin, and of course, Mac OS X.
This means that the nxpython command-line interface, API, and interpreter
can be made open source, also.  The only question of portability is
specifying the build type based on the build platform.  Frameworks would be
DLLs on windows, and on the Un*x flavored machines, non-framework options
would need to be provided.  While I'm not planning to make this
implementation port over to the other platforms, I don't want to stand in
the way of someone who really wants to do it.

The Obj-C version of GCC is at
ftp://ftp.cis.ohio-state.edu/mirror/gnu/gcc/gcc-3.1.1/gcc-objc-3.1.1.tar.gz

Byron