[Python-Dev] Use dlopen() on Darwin/OS X to load extensions?

Mon Apr 3 16:58:57 CEST 2006

Hi folks,
I submitted a patch a little while ago to led Python on Darwin/OS X 
use the same code path to load extensions it uses on most other Unix- 
like platforms. (The reasons for this are several, and mentioned in 
the patch: http://sourceforge.net/tracker/index.php? 
func=detail&aid=1454844&group_id=5470&atid=305470 ).
Anyhow, IMO if this patch is to be included at all (I rather think it 
should, and will happily discuss that on this list or on the patch 
comments to clarify why this is so), it probably ought to make it 
into python 2.5 earlier rather than later. While I'm almost certain 
that these changes will cause no issues (as Apple officially 
encourages use of dlopen() as a drop-in replacement for the 
officially 'discouraged' NeXT-derived functions that Python now uses 
to load extensions), it would seem more prudent to give a low-level 
change like this plenty of time to settle out in case I am wrong.
I've run this by the python-mac folks, and there seemed to be some 
assent, or at least no complaint. Bob Ippolito appeared to think that 
this approach was the best to making Python on the Mac load 
extensions properly in some corner cases (see the patch description 
for more details), but he hasn't weighted in for a while.
Sorry if it's bad form to ask about patches one has submitted -- let 
me know if that sort of discussion should be kept strictly on the 
patch tracker.
Zach Pincus
Program in Biomedical Informatics and Department of Biochemistry
Stanford University School of Medicine