[Python-Dev] Add pure python PNG writer module to stdlib? (original) (raw)

Johann C. Rocholl johann at rocholl.net
Sun Jun 11 07:52:26 CEST 2006

> Does anybody find this idea interesting?

Yes, although I wouldn't want an interface taking in strings but something more like an iterator that returns each row which itself contains int triples. In other words more array-based than string based.

I agree that arrays would be semantically closer to the concept of scanlines of pixel values. OTOH, I have my reasons for choosing the string interface:

  1. String is what you get from any file-like object with file.read(), be it a PPM file on disk, or a pipe like this: os.popen('djpeg test.jpg')
  2. String is unbeatable in terms of efficiency.
  3. Everybody knows how to use strings.
  4. String can easily be created from other representations, for example:

from array import array B = array('B') B.extend((255, 255, 255)) B.tostring() '\xff\xff\xff'

> Does anybody think it could go into stdlib before the feature freeze for 2.5?

Nope. To get added to the stdlib there needs to be support from the community that the module is useful and best-of-breed. Try posting on c.l.py and see if people pick it up and like it. No way that is going to happen before b1. But there is always 2.6 .

That's what I thought. My remote hope was that there would be immediate concensus on python-dev about both the 'useful' and 'best-of-breed' parts. Anybody else with a +1? ;-)

Seriously, it's totally fine with me if the module doesn't make it into 2.5, or even if it never makes it into stdlib. I'm just offering it with some enthusiasm.

Cheers, Johann

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