homepage

In order to resolve bpo41073, we want to extend `PyType_GetSlot()` to accept static types. But there have another question we should be considered: How many slots should be exposed in `PyType_GetSlot()`.
petr's opinion from PR-21931:I would not want to expose the Py_tp_as_* slots at all; their contents are covered in other slots that should be used instead. And slots like Py_tp_version_tag are specific to CPython; I don't think they should be exposed in the general C API.

related bpo: bpo-41073 

IMO, a slot should be exposed if there is some reason for exposing it.
bpo-41073 talks about tp_dealloc, which is already exposed as Py_tp_dealloc.
Recently, Py_bf_* slots were exposed (but not as part of the limited API), in bpo-40724 which links to the reasons for exposing them.
Which other slots are we missing?

Also: PyType_GetSlot should return a function pointer, not data.
For some slots (Py_tp_doc, Py_tp_methods, Py_tp_members, Py_tp_getset) that ship has sailed, but for new ones, we should honor the distinction between data and function pointers. The C standard says they're distinct, so it might bite us in the future (e.g. compiling to WebAssembly).

> IMO, a slot should be exposed if there is some reason for exposing it.
Can we write those info to docs? In case some developer want to exposing slot in future.
> Which other slots are we missing?
nb_inserved in PyNumberMethods should be removed?

> Can we write those info to docs? In case some developer want to exposing slot in future.
Do you mean something like "only expose a slot if you have a reason for exposing it"? That sounds like a tautology.
Where in the docs would this go?
> nb_inserved in PyNumberMethods should be removed?
You mean nb_reserved, right?
It can't be removed; old-style initialization is positional.
But it could be replaced according to PEP387:
- in 3.x, raise a warning if it is not set to NULL (in static types)
- in 3.x+2, throw an error if it is not set to NULL (in static types)
- in 3.x+3 or later, it can be replaced by another slot, if there's something we need to add to PyNumberMethods

My views on individual slots:
Not a function, shouldn't be used with PyType_Slot:
 * tp_dict - I'd add a PyType_GetDict if there is a need to get this
 * tp_mro - I'd add a PyType_GetMRO if there is a need to get this
(There are existing slots that aren't functions; I'd like to deprecate them in the long term.)
internal use only, do not expose:
 * tp_cache
 * tp_subclasses
 * tp_weaklist
 * tp_as_*
Not part of limited API, do not expose:
 * tp_vectorcall
Can be exposed if we deem all of the related API stable:
 * bf_getbuffer
 * bf_releasebuffer

> Do you mean something like "only expose a slot if you have a reason for > exposing it"? That sounds like a tautology.
> Where in the docs would this go?
Add a friend Note in docs of `PyType_GetSlot` MAYBE?
> You mean nb_reserved, right?
Yes, thanks for your description.

Documentation for developers *of* CPython should generally go in the dev guide, a comment in the code, or in issues like this.

>Not a function, shouldn't be used with PyType_Slot:
> * tp_dict - I'd add a PyType_GetDict if there is a need to get this
> * tp_mro - I'd add a PyType_GetMRO if there is a need to get this
I checked some other projects which use type fileds directly.
cpython doesn't expose the tp_dict and tp_mro directly in headers. 
I am not sure which way is more better(calling function vs using fileld directly).
refs:
https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/pygobject/-/blob/master/gi/gimodule.c#L1168
https://github.com/biolab/orange2/blob/db40a9449cb45b507d63dcd5739b223f9cffb8e6/source/orange/cls_orange.cpp#L587