[Python-Dev] Compatibility between Python 2.3.x and Python 2.4.x (original) (raw)

Neal Norwitz nnorwitz at gmail.com
Thu Sep 15 23:42:54 CEST 2005

On 9/15/05, Rich Burridge <Rich.Burridge at sun.com> wrote:

Hi, I'm involved with the team that's working towards installing Python 2.4.x as part of a future release of the Solaris O/S.

Cool. I would like to hear more about what you are doing.

We currently have Python 2.3.x installed. We are trying to determine just how compatible these two release are (at both the binary and source levels).

In other words, with Python 2.3.x .py, .pyc and .pyo files work correctly with Python 2.4.x ?

The binary versions (.pyc and .pyo) are not compatible, their magic number is different. I don't know the details, but if you want to investigate yourself. Get a CVS version, cd python/dist/src ; cvs diff -r r23 -r r24 Python/import.c

That shows the magic number changing. You will need to read CVS logs to figure out why. It's possible the numbers don't really need to change. I see two comments in the logs are:

There are other patches which may have bumped the magic number for other reasons.

Can somebody point me at this information please?

BTW, this list probably isn't the best place to post this question. comp.lang.python (python-list at python.org) is generally preferred for details about implementation.

If you are really interested in finding out more about Python, perhaps you can come to the BayPIGGIES (Python Users Group) meeting at Google tonight (7.30pm) in Mt. View. Contact me off-list if you want more info.

HTH, n

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