[Tutor] 'Installing' Python at runtime? (Civilization)

[Steven D'Aprano]

Alan Gauld wrote:
> 
> "C.Y. Ruhulessin" <izzaddin.ruhulessin at gmail.com> wrote
> 
>> When I load up Civilization IV, a Firaxis game, the loading screen 
>> tells me
>> "Loading Python".
>>
>> However, I can't seem to find out where it installs python
> 
> It probably doesn't actually install Python it is simply loading
> the interpreter into memory.

That's what it says... it says "Loading Python", not installing it. It 
would include a version of Python when the game was installed, possibly 
embedded in the Civilization game itself. *Installing* Python each time 
you start the game would be silly.

To find out where it is installed, use your operating system's Find 
Files utility to search for a file named "python". If you don't find it, 
that could mean they have renamed it something else, or it is embedded 
in the game where you can't get to it.


> It probably uses Python as its macro language for configuration
> or customisation. To execute those scripts it will need to load
> a DLL containing the interpreter code. I don't know for sure
> but I'd guess that's what it means.

Many games use Python as a scripting language. (Lua is another popular 
choice.) The multiplayer game EVE maintains a special port of Python 
called "stackless".


-- 
Steven