ActivePython

[Frank Swarbrick]

Why might one choose to use ActivePython instead of using the free CPython?

[Alex Martelli]

Frank Swarbrick <in*****@earthlink.netwrote:

Why might one choose to use ActivePython instead of using the free CPython?

I believe ActivePython is also free, and it's packaged up differently
(with more 3rd party modules accompanying it than the standard Python
distribution), which might make it attractive to some. Also, I believe
ActivePython is also available as a pre-built binary for some platforms
for which CPython is only distributed as sources (e.g., Solaris), and
again this difference may be seen as favorable by some.
Alex

[tleeuwenburg]

On Jul 4, 2:03 pm, [e-mail] (Alex Martelli) wrote:

Frank Swarbrick <[e-mail]:

Why might one choose to use ActivePython instead of using the free CPython?

I believe ActivePython is also free, and it's packaged up differently
(with more 3rd party modules accompanying it than the standard Python
distribution), which might make it attractive to some. Also, I believe
ActivePython is also available as a pre-built binary for some platforms
for which CPython is only distributed as sources (e.g., Solaris), and
again this difference may be seen as favorable by some.

Alex

Well, Komodo is a nice enough IDE, so you might choose to use
ActivePython for integration reasons, and maybe it's a little easier
on Windows.

However, I would have thought that if you were planning to distribute
an application, you would want to choose CPython for maximum
interoperability with external packages.

ActivePython claims to be ready to install across multiple platforms
(as is CPython) so perhaps a little more work has gone into making a
consistent experience across operating systems.

I have to say, I am just guessing and would love to hear from an
expert in the area on this topic. The ActiveState web page doesn't
really talk about their reasons very much.

Cheers,
-T

[MC]

Hi!

Why might one choose to use ActivePython instead of using the free CPython?

quiet installation?


--
@-salutations

Michel Claveau

[Steve Holden]

tl**********@gmail.com wrote:

On Jul 4, 2:03 pm, [e-mail] (Alex Martelli) wrote:

>Frank Swarbrick <[e-mail]:

>>Why might one choose to use ActivePython instead of using the free CPython?

I believe ActivePython is also free, and it's packaged up differently
(with more 3rd party modules accompanying it than the standard Python
distribution), which might make it attractive to some. Also, I believe
ActivePython is also available as a pre-built binary for some platforms
for which CPython is only distributed as sources (e.g., Solaris), and
again this difference may be seen as favorable by some.

Alex

Well, Komodo is a nice enough IDE, so you might choose to use
ActivePython for integration reasons, and maybe it's a little easier
on Windows.

However, I would have thought that if you were planning to distribute
an application, you would want to choose CPython for maximum
interoperability with external packages.

Not only that, but the last time I looked the ActivePython distribution
doesn't allow redistribution at all (i.e. it's not technically open source).

ActivePython claims to be ready to install across multiple platforms
(as is CPython) so perhaps a little more work has gone into making a
consistent experience across operating systems.

I have to say, I am just guessing and would love to hear from an
expert in the area on this topic. The ActiveState web page doesn't
really talk about their reasons very much.

ActiveState do produce a convenient package for many purposes, and I
have used it myself in the past, but if you want to redistribute then it
isn't a permitted starting point.

regards
Steve
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[Steve Holden]

Trent Mick wrote:

Frank Swarbrick wrote:

[...]

Steve Holden wrote:

...the last time I looked the ActivePython distribution
doesn't allow redistribution at all (i.e. it's not technically open
source).

Steve is correct that ActivePython isn't open source. It is free (as in
beer), meaning that it is completely free for you to download, install
and use on as many machines as you want.

Indeed, and a jolly good system it is, too. Saves you loads of time
integrating things that are already fully integrated in ActivePython.

As to redistribution: Yes, it is technically correct that you cannot
fully redistribute ActivePython without our permission. However,
ActivePython's license expressly *does* allow you to use the "freezing"
utilities such as "py2exe" and "py2app" -- so you have no worries there.

That's going to account for most people's uses for application
distribution, I'd have thought, thanks for pointing that out.

For fully embedding Python in an application, in my experience [2]
you'll want to be building your own Python anyway.

Yup.

[...]

[2] Komodo embeds its own Python build for doing a lot of the core
logic. A custom Python build is generally necessary to avoid
cross-talking between Komodo's Python and other possible Pythons
on the system.

regards
Steve
--
Steve Holden [phone] [phone]
Holden Web LLC/Ltd http://www.holdenweb.com
Skype: holdenweb http://del.icio.us/steve.holden
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