diff options
-rw-r--r-- | README | 84 |
1 files changed, 37 insertions, 47 deletions
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@ This is Python release 1.4 beta 2 ================================= -It's a beta release. Only use this if you want to help me iron the +It's a beta release. Use this only if you want to help me iron the last wrinkles out of the distribution before I release the real 1.4 release. In particular, I'm interested in porting experiences to Unix boxes. It should build out of the box using "./configure; make". @@ -9,24 +9,12 @@ Also try running configue with the --with-thread and --with-readline options (described below). -What's new since 1.4 beta 1? ----------------------------- - -- New modules: errno, operator - -- Changes for Numerical Python: slice and ellipses objects, and -corresponding syntax: - - - x[lo:hi:stride] - - x[a, ..., z] - -XXX +What's new in this release? +--------------------------- - -What's new since Python release 1.3? ------------------------------------- - -See the Misc/NEWS file. +A list of things that changed since 1.4 beta 1 can be found in +Misc/NEWS. This file will eventually be updated to also list what's +new since to 1.3. What is Python anyway? @@ -66,14 +54,11 @@ A modest plug ************************************************************************* * * -* Python exists, and is free, thanks to the contributed efforts * -* of many people. The PSA was created to maximize the results * -* of those efforts, by helping to coordinate them. The PSA * -* operates web, ftp and email servers, organizes Python * -* workshops, and engages in other activities that benefit the * -* Python user community. The PSA is seeking support for these * -* activities. See this URL for information on how to join: * -* http://www.python.org/psa/Joining.html * +* If you use Python, please consider joining the Python Software * +* Activity (PSA). See http://www.python.org/psa/. * +* * +* Organizations making heavy use of Python are especially invited * +* to become corporate members! * * * ************************************************************************* @@ -198,15 +183,18 @@ which test failed. Installing ---------- +XXX TO be rewritten for new install procedure. + To install the interpreter as /usr/local/bin/python, type "make -install". To install the library as /usr/local/lib/python, type "make -libinstall". To install the manual page as +bininstall". To install the library as /usr/local/lib/python, type +"make libinstall". To install the manual page as /usr/local/man/man1/python.1, type "make maninstall". To install the Emacs editing mode for Python, manually copy the file Misc/python-mode.el to your local Emacs lisp directory. The directory /usr/local can be overridden at configuration time by passing --prefix=DIRECTORY to the configure script, or at make time by passing -"prefix=DIRECTORY" to make. See below for more information on --prefix. +"prefix=DIRECTORY" to make. See below for more information on +--prefix. If you plan to do development of extension modules or to embed Python in another application and don't want to reference the original source @@ -324,16 +312,6 @@ all object files by running "make clean" before rebuilding. directory. -Extensions ----------- - -You can also build an "extended" interpreter, using modules that are -not contained in the Modules directory. See the manual titled -"Extending and Embedding the Python Interpreter" (Doc/ext.tex) for -more details on writing an extension or building an existing -extension. - - Building for multiple architectures (using the VPATH feature) ------------------------------------------------------------- @@ -375,6 +353,8 @@ however this assumes that you only need to add modules.) Building on non-UNIX systems ---------------------------- +XXX Rewrite -- nothing in this chapter is true any more. + On non-UNIX systems, you will have to fake the effect of running the configure script manually. A good start is to copy the file config.h.in to config.h and edit the latter to reflect the actual @@ -455,20 +435,27 @@ Before posting, read the FAQ (file Misc/FAQ) first to see if your problem has already been answered! +Web site +-------- + +Python's own web site has URL http://www.python.org/. Come visit us! + + Ftp access ---------- -Python's "home ftp site" is ftp.python.org, directory /pub/python. -See the FAQ (file Misc/FAQ) for a list of other ftp sites carrying the +Python's own ftp site is ftp.python.org, directory /pub/python. See +the FAQ (file Misc/FAQ) for a list of other ftp sites carrying the Python distribution. Newsgroup and mailing list -------------------------- -There are a newsgroup and a mailing list devoted to Python -programming, design and bugs. The newsgroup, comp.lang.python, -contains exactly the same messages as the mailing list. To subscribe +There are a newsgroup and a mailing list devoted to Python. The +newsgroup, comp.lang.python, contains exactly the same messages as the +mailing list (though not always in the same order, due to the +mysterious nature of Usenet news' flooding algorithms). To subscribe to the mailing list, send mail containing your real name and e-mail address to "python-list-request@cwi.nl" (a real person reads these messages, so no LISTPROC or Majordomo commands, please). @@ -477,6 +464,8 @@ messages, so no LISTPROC or Majordomo commands, please). The Tk interface ---------------- +XXX To be rewritten in the light of _tkinter and Tk 4.1. + Tk (the user interface component of John Ousterhout's Tcl language) is also usable from Python. Since this requires that you first build and install Tcl/Tk, the Tk interface is not enabled by default. It @@ -518,10 +507,11 @@ to get Tcl/Tk. Distribution structure ---------------------- +XXX To be redone! + Most subdirectories have their own README file. Most files have comments. -Contrib/ Interesting or useful Python code contributed by others Demo/ Demonstration scripts, modules and programs Doc/ Documentation (LaTeX sources) Grammar/ Input for the parser generator @@ -558,10 +548,10 @@ Author's address Guido van Rossum CNRI 1895 Preston White Drive -Reston, VA 22094 +Reston, VA 20191 USA -E-mail: guido@python.org +E-mail: guido@cnri.reston.va.or or guido@python.org |