[Python-Dev] PEP 273: Import Modules from Zip Archives (original) (raw)

James C. Ahlstrom jim@interet.com
Mon, 29 Oct 2001 09:53:26 -0500

"M.-A. Lemburg" wrote:

1. Why are .py files being outlawed ?

My reason was that if *.py[co] are missing or out of date, zip importing will be slow and users won't figure out what is wrong. Generally I favor user-proof features over expert features. I prefer things which either "Just Work" or fail spectacularly. But I am open to changing this.

2. Where's the C implementation you mention in the PEP ?

Software is like pancakes, you should always throw the first one away. I will post it if you want, but it is not done.

3. Would it be possible to ship zlib together with Python ? (the zlib license should allow this and I don't think that the code size is too big)

OK by me. But uncompressed zip archives work, and may even be faster than conpressed archives.

JimA