[Python-Dev] Configure option to change Python's name? (original) (raw)

Michael Hudson mwh at python.net
Thu Jan 22 06:07:08 EST 2004

Jack Jansen <Jack.Jansen at cwi.nl> writes:

This idea is only half-baked, so please fire away, or tell me to go ahead, or go hide under a stone.

I would like a configure option that changes the name of "python" everywhere: in the executable, in the dynamic library name, the MacOSX framework name, etc. This would allow you to have two Pythons on a system that are completely 100% independent of each other. The idea was triggered by Michael Hudson, who wanted to install a debugging-enabled framework build of Python on MacOSX, which shouldn't interfere with the normal Python (either Apple-installed or user-installed). It turns out this is doable through meticulous hacking of the Makefile after configure (and, for now, ignoring the few hardcoded "Python.framework" references in Lib, but those need fixing anyway).

Can I take this to mean that you got it to work? I've given up for the moment on the grounds that I wanted a working Python install...

I like the idea, but I'm not sure it has applicability outside MacOS X. I have some configure hacks that change the name of the framework if you combine --enable-framework and --with-pydebug, but haven't put them to the test fullly yet.

Cheers, mwh

-- Python enjoys making tradeoffs that drive someone crazy . -- Tim Peters, comp.lang.python

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