[Python-Dev] Optionally using GMP to implement long if available (original) (raw)

Benjamin Peterson musiccomposition at gmail.com
Mon Nov 3 20:19:54 CET 2008

On Mon, Nov 3, 2008 at 11:56 AM, Paul Miller <paul.w.miller at wmich.edu> wrote:

I've read some of the past discussion about including GMP into the python core and understand the reasons for not doing so. Rather than that, what about patching Python's long implementation to use GMP if it's available, and the default implementation if not? Are there any philosophical or technical objections to this? If not, I would consider drafting a patch.

The main objection is that GMP is licensed under LGPL which I believe conflicts with Python's very open license. Also, there would incompatibilities between versions of Python that had GMP enabled and those that didn't with regards to floating points.

Thanks, Paul

-- Cheers, Benjamin Peterson "There's nothing quite as beautiful as an oboe... except a chicken stuck in a vacuum cleaner."

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