[Python-3000] C API for ints and strings (original) (raw)

"Martin v. Löwis" martin at v.loewis.de
Mon Sep 10 07:13:23 CEST 2007

I think it's just trying to say dynamic rather than static linking, not that the library has to be a pre-existing one. The important thing is that the library can be updated just by replacing a file, without having to re-link the executable.

So Windows DLLs qualify, as far as I can see.

No no no no no. As with the GPL, the important point is that the user of the library has ready access to the source code. Every binary of the library must be accompanied by the source code, where "accompanied" means either "included in the installation media", "downloadable from the same source", or "promised in writing".

The first right of the user is to get the source code easily, without having to beg for it. Only then it is also the user's right to modify it, and use the modified version in the application.

So normally, the application's task would be to provide source code. However, if the application links with a shared library already on the system, it is the system vendor's task to provide source code - which is the common case on Linux. So in that case, the application vendor can be cleared of having to provide source code.

Therefore, Windows DLLs would only qualify if Microsoft would provide them, as then Microsoft would also have to provide the source code.

Regards, Martin

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