[Python-Dev] Direction of PyChecker (original) (raw)

Neal Norwitz neal@metaslash.com
Fri, 10 Aug 2001 11:43:52 -0400

Guido van Rossum wrote:

[Samuele Pedroni] > I'm consindering the possibility of adding a special mode to jython > (based on hooks and on porting the CPython tools/compiler) in which > you can retrieve the PVM bytecode of code objects, then there would > be still to make PyChecker java classes aware, but it could run > under jython. (Don't know when I will get at doing this) But is it really a good idea to codify PVM bytecode as the way to do introspection? I'd much rather have a standard library API that parses a module and gives you a list of variables, functions, classes, etc., and lets you drill down into the symbol table of each of those. (I realize more is needed, you need to be able to inspect every statement too -- that can be done by providing access to an AST.)

While it would make my life easier to modify jython, I tend to agree with Guido. Ideally, checker would use ASTs. I really want checker to work with jython, but it's too much work to do right now.

The reason why I chose to use the PVM bytecode was because it was faster and easier to get something. I started trying to use ASTs but it would have taken a lot longer to get anywhere.

I would like to support pychecker under jython, just not sure of the best or fastest way to get there.

Neal