--- /dev/null Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/symbian-qemu-0.9.1-12/python-2.6.1/Doc/distutils/apiref.rst Fri Jul 31 15:01:17 2009 +0100
@@ -0,0 +1,1976 @@
+.. _api-reference:
+
+*************
+API Reference
+*************
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.core` --- Core Distutils functionality
+======================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.core
+ :synopsis: The core Distutils functionality
+
+
+The :mod:`distutils.core` module is the only module that needs to be installed
+to use the Distutils. It provides the :func:`setup` (which is called from the
+setup script). Indirectly provides the :class:`distutils.dist.Distribution` and
+:class:`distutils.cmd.Command` class.
+
+
+.. function:: setup(arguments)
+
+ The basic do-everything function that does most everything you could ever ask
+ for from a Distutils method. See XXXXX
+
+ The setup function takes a large number of arguments. These are laid out in the
+ following table.
+
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | argument name | value | type |
+ +====================+================================+=============================================================+
+ | *name* | The name of the package | a string |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *version* | The version number of the | See :mod:`distutils.version` |
+ | | package | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *description* | A single line describing the | a string |
+ | | package | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *long_description* | Longer description of the | a string |
+ | | package | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *author* | The name of the package author | a string |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *author_email* | The email address of the | a string |
+ | | package author | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *maintainer* | The name of the current | a string |
+ | | maintainer, if different from | |
+ | | the author | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *maintainer_email* | The email address of the | |
+ | | current maintainer, if | |
+ | | different from the author | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *url* | A URL for the package | a URL |
+ | | (homepage) | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *download_url* | A URL to download the package | a URL |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *packages* | A list of Python packages that | a list of strings |
+ | | distutils will manipulate | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *py_modules* | A list of Python modules that | a list of strings |
+ | | distutils will manipulate | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *scripts* | A list of standalone script | a list of strings |
+ | | files to be built and | |
+ | | installed | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *ext_modules* | A list of Python extensions to | A list of instances of |
+ | | be built | :class:`distutils.core.Extension` |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *classifiers* | A list of categories for the | The list of available |
+ | | package | categorizations is at |
+ | | | http://pypi.python.org/pypi?:action=list_classifiers. |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *distclass* | the :class:`Distribution` | A subclass of |
+ | | class to use | :class:`distutils.core.Distribution` |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *script_name* | The name of the setup.py | a string |
+ | | script - defaults to | |
+ | | ``sys.argv[0]`` | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *script_args* | Arguments to supply to the | a list of strings |
+ | | setup script | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *options* | default options for the setup | a string |
+ | | script | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *license* | The license for the package | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *keywords* | Descriptive meta-data. See | |
+ | | :pep:`314` | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *platforms* | | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+ | *cmdclass* | A mapping of command names to | a dictionary |
+ | | :class:`Command` subclasses | |
+ +--------------------+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+.. function:: run_setup(script_name[, script_args=None, stop_after='run'])
+
+ Run a setup script in a somewhat controlled environment, and return the
+ :class:`distutils.dist.Distribution` instance that drives things. This is
+ useful if you need to find out the distribution meta-data (passed as keyword
+ args from *script* to :func:`setup`), or the contents of the config files or
+ command-line.
+
+ *script_name* is a file that will be run with :func:`execfile` ``sys.argv[0]``
+ will be replaced with *script* for the duration of the call. *script_args* is a
+ list of strings; if supplied, ``sys.argv[1:]`` will be replaced by *script_args*
+ for the duration of the call.
+
+ *stop_after* tells :func:`setup` when to stop processing; possible values:
+
+ +---------------+---------------------------------------------+
+ | value | description |
+ +===============+=============================================+
+ | *init* | Stop after the :class:`Distribution` |
+ | | instance has been created and populated |
+ | | with the keyword arguments to :func:`setup` |
+ +---------------+---------------------------------------------+
+ | *config* | Stop after config files have been parsed |
+ | | (and their data stored in the |
+ | | :class:`Distribution` instance) |
+ +---------------+---------------------------------------------+
+ | *commandline* | Stop after the command-line |
+ | | (``sys.argv[1:]`` or *script_args*) have |
+ | | been parsed (and the data stored in the |
+ | | :class:`Distribution` instance.) |
+ +---------------+---------------------------------------------+
+ | *run* | Stop after all commands have been run (the |
+ | | same as if :func:`setup` had been called |
+ | | in the usual way). This is the default |
+ | | value. |
+ +---------------+---------------------------------------------+
+
+In addition, the :mod:`distutils.core` module exposed a number of classes that
+live elsewhere.
+
+* :class:`Extension` from :mod:`distutils.extension`
+
+* :class:`Command` from :mod:`distutils.cmd`
+
+* :class:`Distribution` from :mod:`distutils.dist`
+
+A short description of each of these follows, but see the relevant module for
+the full reference.
+
+
+.. class:: Extension
+
+ The Extension class describes a single C or C++extension module in a setup
+ script. It accepts the following keyword arguments in its constructor
+
+ +------------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------------+
+ | argument name | value | type |
+ +========================+================================+===========================+
+ | *name* | the full name of the | string |
+ | | extension, including any | |
+ | | packages --- ie. *not* a | |
+ | | filename or pathname, but | |
+ | | Python dotted name | |
+ +------------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------------+
+ | *sources* | list of source filenames, | string |
+ | | relative to the distribution | |
+ | | root (where the setup script | |
+ | | lives), in Unix form (slash- | |
+ | | separated) for portability. | |
+ | | Source files may be C, C++, | |
+ | | SWIG (.i), platform-specific | |
+ | | resource files, or whatever | |
+ | | else is recognized by the | |
+ | | :command:`build_ext` command | |
+ | | as source for a Python | |
+ | | extension. | |
+ +------------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------------+
+ | *include_dirs* | list of directories to search | string |
+ | | for C/C++ header files (in | |
+ | | Unix form for portability) | |
+ +------------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------------+
+ | *define_macros* | list of macros to define; each | (string,string) tuple or |
+ | | macro is defined using a | (name,``None``) |
+ | | 2-tuple, where 'value' is | |
+ | | either the string to define it | |
+ | | to or ``None`` to define it | |
+ | | without a particular value | |
+ | | (equivalent of ``#define FOO`` | |
+ | | in source or :option:`-DFOO` | |
+ | | on Unix C compiler command | |
+ | | line) | |
+ +------------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------------+
+ | *undef_macros* | list of macros to undefine | string |
+ | | explicitly | |
+ +------------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------------+
+ | *library_dirs* | list of directories to search | string |
+ | | for C/C++ libraries at link | |
+ | | time | |
+ +------------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------------+
+ | *libraries* | list of library names (not | string |
+ | | filenames or paths) to link | |
+ | | against | |
+ +------------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------------+
+ | *runtime_library_dirs* | list of directories to search | string |
+ | | for C/C++ libraries at run | |
+ | | time (for shared extensions, | |
+ | | this is when the extension is | |
+ | | loaded) | |
+ +------------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------------+
+ | *extra_objects* | list of extra files to link | string |
+ | | with (eg. object files not | |
+ | | implied by 'sources', static | |
+ | | library that must be | |
+ | | explicitly specified, binary | |
+ | | resource files, etc.) | |
+ +------------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------------+
+ | *extra_compile_args* | any extra platform- and | string |
+ | | compiler-specific information | |
+ | | to use when compiling the | |
+ | | source files in 'sources'. For | |
+ | | platforms and compilers where | |
+ | | a command line makes sense, | |
+ | | this is typically a list of | |
+ | | command-line arguments, but | |
+ | | for other platforms it could | |
+ | | be anything. | |
+ +------------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------------+
+ | *extra_link_args* | any extra platform- and | string |
+ | | compiler-specific information | |
+ | | to use when linking object | |
+ | | files together to create the | |
+ | | extension (or to create a new | |
+ | | static Python interpreter). | |
+ | | Similar interpretation as for | |
+ | | 'extra_compile_args'. | |
+ +------------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------------+
+ | *export_symbols* | list of symbols to be exported | string |
+ | | from a shared extension. Not | |
+ | | used on all platforms, and not | |
+ | | generally necessary for Python | |
+ | | extensions, which typically | |
+ | | export exactly one symbol: | |
+ | | ``init`` + extension_name. | |
+ +------------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------------+
+ | *depends* | list of files that the | string |
+ | | extension depends on | |
+ +------------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------------+
+ | *language* | extension language (i.e. | string |
+ | | ``'c'``, ``'c++'``, | |
+ | | ``'objc'``). Will be detected | |
+ | | from the source extensions if | |
+ | | not provided. | |
+ +------------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------------+
+
+
+.. class:: Distribution
+
+ A :class:`Distribution` describes how to build, install and package up a Python
+ software package.
+
+ See the :func:`setup` function for a list of keyword arguments accepted by the
+ Distribution constructor. :func:`setup` creates a Distribution instance.
+
+
+.. class:: Command
+
+ A :class:`Command` class (or rather, an instance of one of its subclasses)
+ implement a single distutils command.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.ccompiler` --- CCompiler base class
+===================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.ccompiler
+ :synopsis: Abstract CCompiler class
+
+
+This module provides the abstract base class for the :class:`CCompiler`
+classes. A :class:`CCompiler` instance can be used for all the compile and
+link steps needed to build a single project. Methods are provided to set
+options for the compiler --- macro definitions, include directories, link path,
+libraries and the like.
+
+This module provides the following functions.
+
+
+.. function:: gen_lib_options(compiler, library_dirs, runtime_library_dirs, libraries)
+
+ Generate linker options for searching library directories and linking with
+ specific libraries. *libraries* and *library_dirs* are, respectively, lists of
+ library names (not filenames!) and search directories. Returns a list of
+ command-line options suitable for use with some compiler (depending on the two
+ format strings passed in).
+
+
+.. function:: gen_preprocess_options(macros, include_dirs)
+
+ Generate C pre-processor options (:option:`-D`, :option:`-U`, :option:`-I`) as
+ used by at least two types of compilers: the typical Unix compiler and Visual
+ C++. *macros* is the usual thing, a list of 1- or 2-tuples, where ``(name,)``
+ means undefine (:option:`-U`) macro *name*, and ``(name, value)`` means define
+ (:option:`-D`) macro *name* to *value*. *include_dirs* is just a list of
+ directory names to be added to the header file search path (:option:`-I`).
+ Returns a list of command-line options suitable for either Unix compilers or
+ Visual C++.
+
+
+.. function:: get_default_compiler(osname, platform)
+
+ Determine the default compiler to use for the given platform.
+
+ *osname* should be one of the standard Python OS names (i.e. the ones returned
+ by ``os.name``) and *platform* the common value returned by ``sys.platform`` for
+ the platform in question.
+
+ The default values are ``os.name`` and ``sys.platform`` in case the parameters
+ are not given.
+
+
+.. function:: new_compiler(plat=None, compiler=None, verbose=0, dry_run=0, force=0)
+
+ Factory function to generate an instance of some CCompiler subclass for the
+ supplied platform/compiler combination. *plat* defaults to ``os.name`` (eg.
+ ``'posix'``, ``'nt'``), and *compiler* defaults to the default compiler for
+ that platform. Currently only ``'posix'`` and ``'nt'`` are supported, and the
+ default compilers are "traditional Unix interface" (:class:`UnixCCompiler`
+ class) and Visual C++ (:class:`MSVCCompiler` class). Note that it's perfectly
+ possible to ask for a Unix compiler object under Windows, and a Microsoft
+ compiler object under Unix---if you supply a value for *compiler*, *plat* is
+ ignored.
+
+ .. % Is the posix/nt only thing still true? Mac OS X seems to work, and
+ .. % returns a UnixCCompiler instance. How to document this... hmm.
+
+
+.. function:: show_compilers()
+
+ Print list of available compilers (used by the :option:`--help-compiler` options
+ to :command:`build`, :command:`build_ext`, :command:`build_clib`).
+
+
+.. class:: CCompiler([verbose=0, dry_run=0, force=0])
+
+ The abstract base class :class:`CCompiler` defines the interface that must be
+ implemented by real compiler classes. The class also has some utility methods
+ used by several compiler classes.
+
+ The basic idea behind a compiler abstraction class is that each instance can be
+ used for all the compile/link steps in building a single project. Thus,
+ attributes common to all of those compile and link steps --- include
+ directories, macros to define, libraries to link against, etc. --- are
+ attributes of the compiler instance. To allow for variability in how individual
+ files are treated, most of those attributes may be varied on a per-compilation
+ or per-link basis.
+
+ The constructor for each subclass creates an instance of the Compiler object.
+ Flags are *verbose* (show verbose output), *dry_run* (don't actually execute the
+ steps) and *force* (rebuild everything, regardless of dependencies). All of
+ these flags default to ``0`` (off). Note that you probably don't want to
+ instantiate :class:`CCompiler` or one of its subclasses directly - use the
+ :func:`distutils.CCompiler.new_compiler` factory function instead.
+
+ The following methods allow you to manually alter compiler options for the
+ instance of the Compiler class.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.add_include_dir(dir)
+
+ Add *dir* to the list of directories that will be searched for header files.
+ The compiler is instructed to search directories in the order in which they are
+ supplied by successive calls to :meth:`add_include_dir`.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.set_include_dirs(dirs)
+
+ Set the list of directories that will be searched to *dirs* (a list of strings).
+ Overrides any preceding calls to :meth:`add_include_dir`; subsequent calls to
+ :meth:`add_include_dir` add to the list passed to :meth:`set_include_dirs`.
+ This does not affect any list of standard include directories that the compiler
+ may search by default.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.add_library(libname)
+
+ Add *libname* to the list of libraries that will be included in all links driven
+ by this compiler object. Note that *libname* should \*not\* be the name of a
+ file containing a library, but the name of the library itself: the actual
+ filename will be inferred by the linker, the compiler, or the compiler class
+ (depending on the platform).
+
+ The linker will be instructed to link against libraries in the order they were
+ supplied to :meth:`add_library` and/or :meth:`set_libraries`. It is perfectly
+ valid to duplicate library names; the linker will be instructed to link against
+ libraries as many times as they are mentioned.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.set_libraries(libnames)
+
+ Set the list of libraries to be included in all links driven by this compiler
+ object to *libnames* (a list of strings). This does not affect any standard
+ system libraries that the linker may include by default.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.add_library_dir(dir)
+
+ Add *dir* to the list of directories that will be searched for libraries
+ specified to :meth:`add_library` and :meth:`set_libraries`. The linker will be
+ instructed to search for libraries in the order they are supplied to
+ :meth:`add_library_dir` and/or :meth:`set_library_dirs`.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.set_library_dirs(dirs)
+
+ Set the list of library search directories to *dirs* (a list of strings). This
+ does not affect any standard library search path that the linker may search by
+ default.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.add_runtime_library_dir(dir)
+
+ Add *dir* to the list of directories that will be searched for shared libraries
+ at runtime.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.set_runtime_library_dirs(dirs)
+
+ Set the list of directories to search for shared libraries at runtime to *dirs*
+ (a list of strings). This does not affect any standard search path that the
+ runtime linker may search by default.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.define_macro(name[, value=None])
+
+ Define a preprocessor macro for all compilations driven by this compiler object.
+ The optional parameter *value* should be a string; if it is not supplied, then
+ the macro will be defined without an explicit value and the exact outcome
+ depends on the compiler used (XXX true? does ANSI say anything about this?)
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.undefine_macro(name)
+
+ Undefine a preprocessor macro for all compilations driven by this compiler
+ object. If the same macro is defined by :meth:`define_macro` and
+ undefined by :meth:`undefine_macro` the last call takes precedence
+ (including multiple redefinitions or undefinitions). If the macro is
+ redefined/undefined on a per-compilation basis (ie. in the call to
+ :meth:`compile`), then that takes precedence.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.add_link_object(object)
+
+ Add *object* to the list of object files (or analogues, such as explicitly named
+ library files or the output of "resource compilers") to be included in every
+ link driven by this compiler object.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.set_link_objects(objects)
+
+ Set the list of object files (or analogues) to be included in every link to
+ *objects*. This does not affect any standard object files that the linker may
+ include by default (such as system libraries).
+
+ The following methods implement methods for autodetection of compiler options,
+ providing some functionality similar to GNU :program:`autoconf`.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.detect_language(sources)
+
+ Detect the language of a given file, or list of files. Uses the instance
+ attributes :attr:`language_map` (a dictionary), and :attr:`language_order` (a
+ list) to do the job.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.find_library_file(dirs, lib[, debug=0])
+
+ Search the specified list of directories for a static or shared library file
+ *lib* and return the full path to that file. If *debug* is true, look for a
+ debugging version (if that makes sense on the current platform). Return
+ ``None`` if *lib* wasn't found in any of the specified directories.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.has_function(funcname [, includes=None, include_dirs=None, libraries=None, library_dirs=None])
+
+ Return a boolean indicating whether *funcname* is supported on the current
+ platform. The optional arguments can be used to augment the compilation
+ environment by providing additional include files and paths and libraries and
+ paths.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.library_dir_option(dir)
+
+ Return the compiler option to add *dir* to the list of directories searched for
+ libraries.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.library_option(lib)
+
+ Return the compiler option to add *dir* to the list of libraries linked into the
+ shared library or executable.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.runtime_library_dir_option(dir)
+
+ Return the compiler option to add *dir* to the list of directories searched for
+ runtime libraries.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.set_executables(**args)
+
+ Define the executables (and options for them) that will be run to perform the
+ various stages of compilation. The exact set of executables that may be
+ specified here depends on the compiler class (via the 'executables' class
+ attribute), but most will have:
+
+ +--------------+------------------------------------------+
+ | attribute | description |
+ +==============+==========================================+
+ | *compiler* | the C/C++ compiler |
+ +--------------+------------------------------------------+
+ | *linker_so* | linker used to create shared objects and |
+ | | libraries |
+ +--------------+------------------------------------------+
+ | *linker_exe* | linker used to create binary executables |
+ +--------------+------------------------------------------+
+ | *archiver* | static library creator |
+ +--------------+------------------------------------------+
+
+ On platforms with a command-line (Unix, DOS/Windows), each of these is a string
+ that will be split into executable name and (optional) list of arguments.
+ (Splitting the string is done similarly to how Unix shells operate: words are
+ delimited by spaces, but quotes and backslashes can override this. See
+ :func:`distutils.util.split_quoted`.)
+
+ The following methods invoke stages in the build process.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.compile(sources[, output_dir=None, macros=None, include_dirs=None, debug=0, extra_preargs=None, extra_postargs=None, depends=None])
+
+ Compile one or more source files. Generates object files (e.g. transforms a
+ :file:`.c` file to a :file:`.o` file.)
+
+ *sources* must be a list of filenames, most likely C/C++ files, but in reality
+ anything that can be handled by a particular compiler and compiler class (eg.
+ :class:`MSVCCompiler` can handle resource files in *sources*). Return a list of
+ object filenames, one per source filename in *sources*. Depending on the
+ implementation, not all source files will necessarily be compiled, but all
+ corresponding object filenames will be returned.
+
+ If *output_dir* is given, object files will be put under it, while retaining
+ their original path component. That is, :file:`foo/bar.c` normally compiles to
+ :file:`foo/bar.o` (for a Unix implementation); if *output_dir* is *build*, then
+ it would compile to :file:`build/foo/bar.o`.
+
+ *macros*, if given, must be a list of macro definitions. A macro definition is
+ either a ``(name, value)`` 2-tuple or a ``(name,)`` 1-tuple. The former defines
+ a macro; if the value is ``None``, the macro is defined without an explicit
+ value. The 1-tuple case undefines a macro. Later
+ definitions/redefinitions/undefinitions take precedence.
+
+ *include_dirs*, if given, must be a list of strings, the directories to add to
+ the default include file search path for this compilation only.
+
+ *debug* is a boolean; if true, the compiler will be instructed to output debug
+ symbols in (or alongside) the object file(s).
+
+ *extra_preargs* and *extra_postargs* are implementation-dependent. On platforms
+ that have the notion of a command-line (e.g. Unix, DOS/Windows), they are most
+ likely lists of strings: extra command-line arguments to prepend/append to the
+ compiler command line. On other platforms, consult the implementation class
+ documentation. In any event, they are intended as an escape hatch for those
+ occasions when the abstract compiler framework doesn't cut the mustard.
+
+ *depends*, if given, is a list of filenames that all targets depend on. If a
+ source file is older than any file in depends, then the source file will be
+ recompiled. This supports dependency tracking, but only at a coarse
+ granularity.
+
+ Raises :exc:`CompileError` on failure.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.create_static_lib(objects, output_libname[, output_dir=None, debug=0, target_lang=None])
+
+ Link a bunch of stuff together to create a static library file. The "bunch of
+ stuff" consists of the list of object files supplied as *objects*, the extra
+ object files supplied to :meth:`add_link_object` and/or
+ :meth:`set_link_objects`, the libraries supplied to :meth:`add_library` and/or
+ :meth:`set_libraries`, and the libraries supplied as *libraries* (if any).
+
+ *output_libname* should be a library name, not a filename; the filename will be
+ inferred from the library name. *output_dir* is the directory where the library
+ file will be put. XXX defaults to what?
+
+ *debug* is a boolean; if true, debugging information will be included in the
+ library (note that on most platforms, it is the compile step where this matters:
+ the *debug* flag is included here just for consistency).
+
+ *target_lang* is the target language for which the given objects are being
+ compiled. This allows specific linkage time treatment of certain languages.
+
+ Raises :exc:`LibError` on failure.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.link(target_desc, objects, output_filename[, output_dir=None, libraries=None, library_dirs=None, runtime_library_dirs=None, export_symbols=None, debug=0, extra_preargs=None, extra_postargs=None, build_temp=None, target_lang=None])
+
+ Link a bunch of stuff together to create an executable or shared library file.
+
+ The "bunch of stuff" consists of the list of object files supplied as *objects*.
+ *output_filename* should be a filename. If *output_dir* is supplied,
+ *output_filename* is relative to it (i.e. *output_filename* can provide
+ directory components if needed).
+
+ *libraries* is a list of libraries to link against. These are library names,
+ not filenames, since they're translated into filenames in a platform-specific
+ way (eg. *foo* becomes :file:`libfoo.a` on Unix and :file:`foo.lib` on
+ DOS/Windows). However, they can include a directory component, which means the
+ linker will look in that specific directory rather than searching all the normal
+ locations.
+
+ *library_dirs*, if supplied, should be a list of directories to search for
+ libraries that were specified as bare library names (ie. no directory
+ component). These are on top of the system default and those supplied to
+ :meth:`add_library_dir` and/or :meth:`set_library_dirs`. *runtime_library_dirs*
+ is a list of directories that will be embedded into the shared library and used
+ to search for other shared libraries that \*it\* depends on at run-time. (This
+ may only be relevant on Unix.)
+
+ *export_symbols* is a list of symbols that the shared library will export.
+ (This appears to be relevant only on Windows.)
+
+ *debug* is as for :meth:`compile` and :meth:`create_static_lib`, with the
+ slight distinction that it actually matters on most platforms (as opposed to
+ :meth:`create_static_lib`, which includes a *debug* flag mostly for form's
+ sake).
+
+ *extra_preargs* and *extra_postargs* are as for :meth:`compile` (except of
+ course that they supply command-line arguments for the particular linker being
+ used).
+
+ *target_lang* is the target language for which the given objects are being
+ compiled. This allows specific linkage time treatment of certain languages.
+
+ Raises :exc:`LinkError` on failure.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.link_executable(objects, output_progname[, output_dir=None, libraries=None, library_dirs=None, runtime_library_dirs=None, debug=0, extra_preargs=None, extra_postargs=None, target_lang=None])
+
+ Link an executable. *output_progname* is the name of the file executable, while
+ *objects* are a list of object filenames to link in. Other arguments are as for
+ the :meth:`link` method.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.link_shared_lib(objects, output_libname[, output_dir=None, libraries=None, library_dirs=None, runtime_library_dirs=None, export_symbols=None, debug=0, extra_preargs=None, extra_postargs=None, build_temp=None, target_lang=None])
+
+ Link a shared library. *output_libname* is the name of the output library,
+ while *objects* is a list of object filenames to link in. Other arguments are
+ as for the :meth:`link` method.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.link_shared_object(objects, output_filename[, output_dir=None, libraries=None, library_dirs=None, runtime_library_dirs=None, export_symbols=None, debug=0, extra_preargs=None, extra_postargs=None, build_temp=None, target_lang=None])
+
+ Link a shared object. *output_filename* is the name of the shared object that
+ will be created, while *objects* is a list of object filenames to link in.
+ Other arguments are as for the :meth:`link` method.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.preprocess(source[, output_file=None, macros=None, include_dirs=None, extra_preargs=None, extra_postargs=None])
+
+ Preprocess a single C/C++ source file, named in *source*. Output will be written
+ to file named *output_file*, or *stdout* if *output_file* not supplied.
+ *macros* is a list of macro definitions as for :meth:`compile`, which will
+ augment the macros set with :meth:`define_macro` and :meth:`undefine_macro`.
+ *include_dirs* is a list of directory names that will be added to the default
+ list, in the same way as :meth:`add_include_dir`.
+
+ Raises :exc:`PreprocessError` on failure.
+
+ The following utility methods are defined by the :class:`CCompiler` class, for
+ use by the various concrete subclasses.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.executable_filename(basename[, strip_dir=0, output_dir=''])
+
+ Returns the filename of the executable for the given *basename*. Typically for
+ non-Windows platforms this is the same as the basename, while Windows will get
+ a :file:`.exe` added.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.library_filename(libname[, lib_type='static', strip_dir=0, output_dir=''])
+
+ Returns the filename for the given library name on the current platform. On Unix
+ a library with *lib_type* of ``'static'`` will typically be of the form
+ :file:`liblibname.a`, while a *lib_type* of ``'dynamic'`` will be of the form
+ :file:`liblibname.so`.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.object_filenames(source_filenames[, strip_dir=0, output_dir=''])
+
+ Returns the name of the object files for the given source files.
+ *source_filenames* should be a list of filenames.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.shared_object_filename(basename[, strip_dir=0, output_dir=''])
+
+ Returns the name of a shared object file for the given file name *basename*.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.execute(func, args[, msg=None, level=1])
+
+ Invokes :func:`distutils.util.execute` This method invokes a Python function
+ *func* with the given arguments *args*, after logging and taking into account
+ the *dry_run* flag. XXX see also.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.spawn(cmd)
+
+ Invokes :func:`distutils.util.spawn`. This invokes an external process to run
+ the given command. XXX see also.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.mkpath(name[, mode=511])
+
+ Invokes :func:`distutils.dir_util.mkpath`. This creates a directory and any
+ missing ancestor directories. XXX see also.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.move_file(src, dst)
+
+ Invokes :meth:`distutils.file_util.move_file`. Renames *src* to *dst*. XXX see
+ also.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.announce(msg[, level=1])
+
+ Write a message using :func:`distutils.log.debug`. XXX see also.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.warn(msg)
+
+ Write a warning message *msg* to standard error.
+
+
+ .. method:: CCompiler.debug_print(msg)
+
+ If the *debug* flag is set on this :class:`CCompiler` instance, print *msg* to
+ standard output, otherwise do nothing.
+
+.. % \subsection{Compiler-specific modules}
+.. %
+.. % The following modules implement concrete subclasses of the abstract
+.. % \class{CCompiler} class. They should not be instantiated directly, but should
+.. % be created using \function{distutils.ccompiler.new_compiler()} factory
+.. % function.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.unixccompiler` --- Unix C Compiler
+==================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.unixccompiler
+ :synopsis: UNIX C Compiler
+
+
+This module provides the :class:`UnixCCompiler` class, a subclass of
+:class:`CCompiler` that handles the typical Unix-style command-line C compiler:
+
+* macros defined with :option:`-Dname[=value]`
+
+* macros undefined with :option:`-Uname`
+
+* include search directories specified with :option:`-Idir`
+
+* libraries specified with :option:`-llib`
+
+* library search directories specified with :option:`-Ldir`
+
+* compile handled by :program:`cc` (or similar) executable with :option:`-c`
+ option: compiles :file:`.c` to :file:`.o`
+
+* link static library handled by :program:`ar` command (possibly with
+ :program:`ranlib`)
+
+* link shared library handled by :program:`cc` :option:`-shared`
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.msvccompiler` --- Microsoft Compiler
+====================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.msvccompiler
+ :synopsis: Microsoft Compiler
+
+
+This module provides :class:`MSVCCompiler`, an implementation of the abstract
+:class:`CCompiler` class for Microsoft Visual Studio. Typically, extension
+modules need to be compiled with the same compiler that was used to compile
+Python. For Python 2.3 and earlier, the compiler was Visual Studio 6. For Python
+2.4 and 2.5, the compiler is Visual Studio .NET 2003. The AMD64 and Itanium
+binaries are created using the Platform SDK.
+
+:class:`MSVCCompiler` will normally choose the right compiler, linker etc. on
+its own. To override this choice, the environment variables *DISTUTILS_USE_SDK*
+and *MSSdk* must be both set. *MSSdk* indicates that the current environment has
+been setup by the SDK's ``SetEnv.Cmd`` script, or that the environment variables
+had been registered when the SDK was installed; *DISTUTILS_USE_SDK* indicates
+that the distutils user has made an explicit choice to override the compiler
+selection by :class:`MSVCCompiler`.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.bcppcompiler` --- Borland Compiler
+==================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.bcppcompiler
+
+
+This module provides :class:`BorlandCCompiler`, an subclass of the abstract
+:class:`CCompiler` class for the Borland C++ compiler.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.cygwincompiler` --- Cygwin Compiler
+===================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.cygwinccompiler
+
+
+This module provides the :class:`CygwinCCompiler` class, a subclass of
+:class:`UnixCCompiler` that handles the Cygwin port of the GNU C compiler to
+Windows. It also contains the Mingw32CCompiler class which handles the mingw32
+port of GCC (same as cygwin in no-cygwin mode).
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.emxccompiler` --- OS/2 EMX Compiler
+===================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.emxccompiler
+ :synopsis: OS/2 EMX Compiler support
+
+
+This module provides the EMXCCompiler class, a subclass of
+:class:`UnixCCompiler` that handles the EMX port of the GNU C compiler to OS/2.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.mwerkscompiler` --- Metrowerks CodeWarrior support
+==================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.mwerkscompiler
+ :synopsis: Metrowerks CodeWarrior support
+
+
+Contains :class:`MWerksCompiler`, an implementation of the abstract
+:class:`CCompiler` class for MetroWerks CodeWarrior on the pre-Mac OS X
+Macintosh. Needs work to support CW on Windows or Mac OS X.
+
+.. % \subsection{Utility modules}
+.. %
+.. % The following modules all provide general utility functions. They haven't
+.. % all been documented yet.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.archive_util` --- Archiving utilities
+======================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.archive_util
+ :synopsis: Utility functions for creating archive files (tarballs, zip files, ...)
+
+
+This module provides a few functions for creating archive files, such as
+tarballs or zipfiles.
+
+
+.. function:: make_archive(base_name, format[, root_dir=None, base_dir=None, verbose=0, dry_run=0])
+
+ Create an archive file (eg. ``zip`` or ``tar``). *base_name* is the name of
+ the file to create, minus any format-specific extension; *format* is the
+ archive format: one of ``zip``, ``tar``, ``ztar``, or ``gztar``. *root_dir* is
+ a directory that will be the root directory of the archive; ie. we typically
+ ``chdir`` into *root_dir* before creating the archive. *base_dir* is the
+ directory where we start archiving from; ie. *base_dir* will be the common
+ prefix of all files and directories in the archive. *root_dir* and *base_dir*
+ both default to the current directory. Returns the name of the archive file.
+
+ .. warning::
+
+ This should be changed to support bz2 files
+
+
+.. function:: make_tarball(base_name, base_dir[, compress='gzip', verbose=0, dry_run=0])
+
+ 'Create an (optional compressed) archive as a tar file from all files in and
+ under *base_dir*. *compress* must be ``'gzip'`` (the default), ``'compress'``,
+ ``'bzip2'``, or ``None``. Both :program:`tar` and the compression utility named
+ by *compress* must be on the default program search path, so this is probably
+ Unix-specific. The output tar file will be named :file:`base_dir.tar`,
+ possibly plus the appropriate compression extension (:file:`.gz`, :file:`.bz2`
+ or :file:`.Z`). Return the output filename.
+
+ .. warning::
+
+ This should be replaced with calls to the :mod:`tarfile` module.
+
+
+.. function:: make_zipfile(base_name, base_dir[, verbose=0, dry_run=0])
+
+ Create a zip file from all files in and under *base_dir*. The output zip file
+ will be named *base_dir* + :file:`.zip`. Uses either the :mod:`zipfile` Python
+ module (if available) or the InfoZIP :file:`zip` utility (if installed and
+ found on the default search path). If neither tool is available, raises
+ :exc:`DistutilsExecError`. Returns the name of the output zip file.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.dep_util` --- Dependency checking
+=================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.dep_util
+ :synopsis: Utility functions for simple dependency checking
+
+
+This module provides functions for performing simple, timestamp-based
+dependency of files and groups of files; also, functions based entirely on such
+timestamp dependency analysis.
+
+
+.. function:: newer(source, target)
+
+ Return true if *source* exists and is more recently modified than *target*, or
+ if *source* exists and *target* doesn't. Return false if both exist and *target*
+ is the same age or newer than *source*. Raise :exc:`DistutilsFileError` if
+ *source* does not exist.
+
+
+.. function:: newer_pairwise(sources, targets)
+
+ Walk two filename lists in parallel, testing if each source is newer than its
+ corresponding target. Return a pair of lists (*sources*, *targets*) where
+ source is newer than target, according to the semantics of :func:`newer`
+
+ .. % % equivalent to a listcomp...
+
+
+.. function:: newer_group(sources, target[, missing='error'])
+
+ Return true if *target* is out-of-date with respect to any file listed in
+ *sources* In other words, if *target* exists and is newer than every file in
+ *sources*, return false; otherwise return true. *missing* controls what we do
+ when a source file is missing; the default (``'error'``) is to blow up with an
+ :exc:`OSError` from inside :func:`os.stat`; if it is ``'ignore'``, we silently
+ drop any missing source files; if it is ``'newer'``, any missing source files
+ make us assume that *target* is out-of-date (this is handy in "dry-run" mode:
+ it'll make you pretend to carry out commands that wouldn't work because inputs
+ are missing, but that doesn't matter because you're not actually going to run
+ the commands).
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.dir_util` --- Directory tree operations
+=======================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.dir_util
+ :synopsis: Utility functions for operating on directories and directory trees
+
+
+This module provides functions for operating on directories and trees of
+directories.
+
+
+.. function:: mkpath(name[, mode=0777, verbose=0, dry_run=0])
+
+ Create a directory and any missing ancestor directories. If the directory
+ already exists (or if *name* is the empty string, which means the current
+ directory, which of course exists), then do nothing. Raise
+ :exc:`DistutilsFileError` if unable to create some directory along the way (eg.
+ some sub-path exists, but is a file rather than a directory). If *verbose* is
+ true, print a one-line summary of each mkdir to stdout. Return the list of
+ directories actually created.
+
+
+.. function:: create_tree(base_dir, files[, mode=0777, verbose=0, dry_run=0])
+
+ Create all the empty directories under *base_dir* needed to put *files* there.
+ *base_dir* is just the a name of a directory which doesn't necessarily exist
+ yet; *files* is a list of filenames to be interpreted relative to *base_dir*.
+ *base_dir* + the directory portion of every file in *files* will be created if
+ it doesn't already exist. *mode*, *verbose* and *dry_run* flags are as for
+ :func:`mkpath`.
+
+
+.. function:: copy_tree(src, dst[, preserve_mode=1, preserve_times=1, preserve_symlinks=0, update=0, verbose=0, dry_run=0])
+
+ Copy an entire directory tree *src* to a new location *dst*. Both *src* and
+ *dst* must be directory names. If *src* is not a directory, raise
+ :exc:`DistutilsFileError`. If *dst* does not exist, it is created with
+ :func:`mkpath`. The end result of the copy is that every file in *src* is
+ copied to *dst*, and directories under *src* are recursively copied to *dst*.
+ Return the list of files that were copied or might have been copied, using their
+ output name. The return value is unaffected by *update* or *dry_run*: it is
+ simply the list of all files under *src*, with the names changed to be under
+ *dst*.
+
+ *preserve_mode* and *preserve_times* are the same as for :func:`copy_file` in
+ :mod:`distutils.file_util`; note that they only apply to regular files, not to
+ directories. If *preserve_symlinks* is true, symlinks will be copied as
+ symlinks (on platforms that support them!); otherwise (the default), the
+ destination of the symlink will be copied. *update* and *verbose* are the same
+ as for :func:`copy_file`.
+
+
+.. function:: remove_tree(directory[, verbose=0, dry_run=0])
+
+ Recursively remove *directory* and all files and directories underneath it. Any
+ errors are ignored (apart from being reported to ``sys.stdout`` if *verbose* is
+ true).
+
+**\*\*** Some of this could be replaced with the shutil module? **\*\***
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.file_util` --- Single file operations
+=====================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.file_util
+ :synopsis: Utility functions for operating on single files
+
+
+This module contains some utility functions for operating on individual files.
+
+
+.. function:: copy_file(src, dst[, preserve_mode=1, preserve_times=1, update=0, link=None, verbose=0, dry_run=0])
+
+ Copy file *src* to *dst*. If *dst* is a directory, then *src* is copied there
+ with the same name; otherwise, it must be a filename. (If the file exists, it
+ will be ruthlessly clobbered.) If *preserve_mode* is true (the default), the
+ file's mode (type and permission bits, or whatever is analogous on the
+ current platform) is copied. If *preserve_times* is true (the default), the
+ last-modified and last-access times are copied as well. If *update* is true,
+ *src* will only be copied if *dst* does not exist, or if *dst* does exist but
+ is older than *src*.
+
+ *link* allows you to make hard links (using :func:`os.link`) or symbolic links
+ (using :func:`os.symlink`) instead of copying: set it to ``'hard'`` or
+ ``'sym'``; if it is ``None`` (the default), files are copied. Don't set *link*
+ on systems that don't support it: :func:`copy_file` doesn't check if hard or
+ symbolic linking is available. It uses :func:`_copy_file_contents` to copy file
+ contents.
+
+ Return a tuple ``(dest_name, copied)``: *dest_name* is the actual name of the
+ output file, and *copied* is true if the file was copied (or would have been
+ copied, if *dry_run* true).
+
+ .. % XXX if the destination file already exists, we clobber it if
+ .. % copying, but blow up if linking. Hmmm. And I don't know what
+ .. % macostools.copyfile() does. Should definitely be consistent, and
+ .. % should probably blow up if destination exists and we would be
+ .. % changing it (ie. it's not already a hard/soft link to src OR
+ .. % (not update) and (src newer than dst)).
+
+
+.. function:: move_file(src, dst[, verbose, dry_run])
+
+ Move file *src* to *dst*. If *dst* is a directory, the file will be moved into
+ it with the same name; otherwise, *src* is just renamed to *dst*. Returns the
+ new full name of the file.
+
+ .. warning::
+
+ Handles cross-device moves on Unix using :func:`copy_file`. What about other
+ systems???
+
+
+.. function:: write_file(filename, contents)
+
+ Create a file called *filename* and write *contents* (a sequence of strings
+ without line terminators) to it.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.util` --- Miscellaneous other utility functions
+===============================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.util
+ :synopsis: Miscellaneous other utility functions
+
+
+This module contains other assorted bits and pieces that don't fit into any
+other utility module.
+
+
+.. function:: get_platform()
+
+ Return a string that identifies the current platform. This is used mainly to
+ distinguish platform-specific build directories and platform-specific built
+ distributions. Typically includes the OS name and version and the architecture
+ (as supplied by 'os.uname()'), although the exact information included depends
+ on the OS; eg. for IRIX the architecture isn't particularly important (IRIX only
+ runs on SGI hardware), but for Linux the kernel version isn't particularly
+ important.
+
+ Examples of returned values:
+
+ * ``linux-i586``
+ * ``linux-alpha``
+ * ``solaris-2.6-sun4u``
+ * ``irix-5.3``
+ * ``irix64-6.2``
+
+ For non-POSIX platforms, currently just returns ``sys.platform``.
+
+ .. % XXX isn't this also provided by some other non-distutils module?
+
+
+.. function:: convert_path(pathname)
+
+ Return 'pathname' as a name that will work on the native filesystem, i.e. split
+ it on '/' and put it back together again using the current directory separator.
+ Needed because filenames in the setup script are always supplied in Unix style,
+ and have to be converted to the local convention before we can actually use them
+ in the filesystem. Raises :exc:`ValueError` on non-Unix-ish systems if
+ *pathname* either starts or ends with a slash.
+
+
+.. function:: change_root(new_root, pathname)
+
+ Return *pathname* with *new_root* prepended. If *pathname* is relative, this is
+ equivalent to ``os.path.join(new_root,pathname)`` Otherwise, it requires making
+ *pathname* relative and then joining the two, which is tricky on DOS/Windows.
+
+
+.. function:: check_environ()
+
+ Ensure that 'os.environ' has all the environment variables we guarantee that
+ users can use in config files, command-line options, etc. Currently this
+ includes:
+
+ * :envvar:`HOME` - user's home directory (Unix only)
+ * :envvar:`PLAT` - description of the current platform, including hardware and
+ OS (see :func:`get_platform`)
+
+
+.. function:: subst_vars(s, local_vars)
+
+ Perform shell/Perl-style variable substitution on *s*. Every occurrence of
+ ``$`` followed by a name is considered a variable, and variable is substituted
+ by the value found in the *local_vars* dictionary, or in ``os.environ`` if it's
+ not in *local_vars*. *os.environ* is first checked/augmented to guarantee that
+ it contains certain values: see :func:`check_environ`. Raise :exc:`ValueError`
+ for any variables not found in either *local_vars* or ``os.environ``.
+
+ Note that this is not a fully-fledged string interpolation function. A valid
+ ``$variable`` can consist only of upper and lower case letters, numbers and an
+ underscore. No { } or ( ) style quoting is available.
+
+
+.. function:: grok_environment_error(exc[, prefix='error: '])
+
+ Generate a useful error message from an :exc:`EnvironmentError` (:exc:`IOError`
+ or :exc:`OSError`) exception object. Handles Python 1.5.1 and later styles,
+ and does what it can to deal with exception objects that don't have a filename
+ (which happens when the error is due to a two-file operation, such as
+ :func:`rename` or :func:`link`). Returns the error message as a string
+ prefixed with *prefix*.
+
+
+.. function:: split_quoted(s)
+
+ Split a string up according to Unix shell-like rules for quotes and backslashes.
+ In short: words are delimited by spaces, as long as those spaces are not escaped
+ by a backslash, or inside a quoted string. Single and double quotes are
+ equivalent, and the quote characters can be backslash-escaped. The backslash is
+ stripped from any two-character escape sequence, leaving only the escaped
+ character. The quote characters are stripped from any quoted string. Returns a
+ list of words.
+
+ .. % Should probably be moved into the standard library.
+
+
+.. function:: execute(func, args[, msg=None, verbose=0, dry_run=0])
+
+ Perform some action that affects the outside world (for instance, writing to the
+ filesystem). Such actions are special because they are disabled by the
+ *dry_run* flag. This method takes care of all that bureaucracy for you; all
+ you have to do is supply the function to call and an argument tuple for it (to
+ embody the "external action" being performed), and an optional message to print.
+
+
+.. function:: strtobool(val)
+
+ Convert a string representation of truth to true (1) or false (0).
+
+ True values are ``y``, ``yes``, ``t``, ``true``, ``on`` and ``1``; false values
+ are ``n``, ``no``, ``f``, ``false``, ``off`` and ``0``. Raises
+ :exc:`ValueError` if *val* is anything else.
+
+
+.. function:: byte_compile(py_files[, optimize=0, force=0, prefix=None, base_dir=None, verbose=1, dry_run=0, direct=None])
+
+ Byte-compile a collection of Python source files to either :file:`.pyc` or
+ :file:`.pyo` files in the same directory. *py_files* is a list of files to
+ compile; any files that don't end in :file:`.py` are silently skipped.
+ *optimize* must be one of the following:
+
+ * ``0`` - don't optimize (generate :file:`.pyc`)
+ * ``1`` - normal optimization (like ``python -O``)
+ * ``2`` - extra optimization (like ``python -OO``)
+
+ If *force* is true, all files are recompiled regardless of timestamps.
+
+ The source filename encoded in each :term:`bytecode` file defaults to the filenames
+ listed in *py_files*; you can modify these with *prefix* and *basedir*.
+ *prefix* is a string that will be stripped off of each source filename, and
+ *base_dir* is a directory name that will be prepended (after *prefix* is
+ stripped). You can supply either or both (or neither) of *prefix* and
+ *base_dir*, as you wish.
+
+ If *dry_run* is true, doesn't actually do anything that would affect the
+ filesystem.
+
+ Byte-compilation is either done directly in this interpreter process with the
+ standard :mod:`py_compile` module, or indirectly by writing a temporary script
+ and executing it. Normally, you should let :func:`byte_compile` figure out to
+ use direct compilation or not (see the source for details). The *direct* flag
+ is used by the script generated in indirect mode; unless you know what you're
+ doing, leave it set to ``None``.
+
+
+.. function:: rfc822_escape(header)
+
+ Return a version of *header* escaped for inclusion in an :rfc:`822` header, by
+ ensuring there are 8 spaces space after each newline. Note that it does no other
+ modification of the string.
+
+ .. % this _can_ be replaced
+
+.. % \subsection{Distutils objects}
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.dist` --- The Distribution class
+================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.dist
+ :synopsis: Provides the Distribution class, which represents the module distribution being
+ built/installed/distributed
+
+
+This module provides the :class:`Distribution` class, which represents the
+module distribution being built/installed/distributed.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.extension` --- The Extension class
+==================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.extension
+ :synopsis: Provides the Extension class, used to describe C/C++ extension modules in setup
+ scripts
+
+
+This module provides the :class:`Extension` class, used to describe C/C++
+extension modules in setup scripts.
+
+.. % \subsection{Ungrouped modules}
+.. % The following haven't been moved into a more appropriate section yet.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.debug` --- Distutils debug mode
+===============================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.debug
+ :synopsis: Provides the debug flag for distutils
+
+
+This module provides the DEBUG flag.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.errors` --- Distutils exceptions
+================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.errors
+ :synopsis: Provides standard distutils exceptions
+
+
+Provides exceptions used by the Distutils modules. Note that Distutils modules
+may raise standard exceptions; in particular, SystemExit is usually raised for
+errors that are obviously the end-user's fault (eg. bad command-line arguments).
+
+This module is safe to use in ``from ... import *`` mode; it only exports
+symbols whose names start with ``Distutils`` and end with ``Error``.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.fancy_getopt` --- Wrapper around the standard getopt module
+===========================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.fancy_getopt
+ :synopsis: Additional getopt functionality
+
+
+This module provides a wrapper around the standard :mod:`getopt` module that
+provides the following additional features:
+
+* short and long options are tied together
+
+* options have help strings, so :func:`fancy_getopt` could potentially create a
+ complete usage summary
+
+* options set attributes of a passed-in object
+
+* boolean options can have "negative aliases" --- eg. if :option:`--quiet` is
+ the "negative alias" of :option:`--verbose`, then :option:`--quiet` on the
+ command line sets *verbose* to false.
+
+**\*\*** Should be replaced with :mod:`optik` (which is also now known as
+:mod:`optparse` in Python 2.3 and later). **\*\***
+
+
+.. function:: fancy_getopt(options, negative_opt, object, args)
+
+ Wrapper function. *options* is a list of ``(long_option, short_option,
+ help_string)`` 3-tuples as described in the constructor for
+ :class:`FancyGetopt`. *negative_opt* should be a dictionary mapping option names
+ to option names, both the key and value should be in the *options* list.
+ *object* is an object which will be used to store values (see the :meth:`getopt`
+ method of the :class:`FancyGetopt` class). *args* is the argument list. Will use
+ ``sys.argv[1:]`` if you pass ``None`` as *args*.
+
+
+.. function:: wrap_text(text, width)
+
+ Wraps *text* to less than *width* wide.
+
+ .. warning::
+
+ Should be replaced with :mod:`textwrap` (which is available in Python 2.3 and
+ later).
+
+
+.. class:: FancyGetopt([option_table=None])
+
+ The option_table is a list of 3-tuples: ``(long_option, short_option,
+ help_string)``
+
+ If an option takes an argument, its *long_option* should have ``'='`` appended;
+ *short_option* should just be a single character, no ``':'`` in any case.
+ *short_option* should be ``None`` if a *long_option* doesn't have a
+ corresponding *short_option*. All option tuples must have long options.
+
+The :class:`FancyGetopt` class provides the following methods:
+
+
+.. method:: FancyGetopt.getopt([args=None, object=None])
+
+ Parse command-line options in args. Store as attributes on *object*.
+
+ If *args* is ``None`` or not supplied, uses ``sys.argv[1:]``. If *object* is
+ ``None`` or not supplied, creates a new :class:`OptionDummy` instance, stores
+ option values there, and returns a tuple ``(args, object)``. If *object* is
+ supplied, it is modified in place and :func:`getopt` just returns *args*; in
+ both cases, the returned *args* is a modified copy of the passed-in *args* list,
+ which is left untouched.
+
+ .. % and args returned are?
+
+
+.. method:: FancyGetopt.get_option_order()
+
+ Returns the list of ``(option, value)`` tuples processed by the previous run of
+ :meth:`getopt` Raises :exc:`RuntimeError` if :meth:`getopt` hasn't been called
+ yet.
+
+
+.. method:: FancyGetopt.generate_help([header=None])
+
+ Generate help text (a list of strings, one per suggested line of output) from
+ the option table for this :class:`FancyGetopt` object.
+
+ If supplied, prints the supplied *header* at the top of the help.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.filelist` --- The FileList class
+================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.filelist
+ :synopsis: The FileList class, used for poking about the file system and building lists of
+ files.
+
+
+This module provides the :class:`FileList` class, used for poking about the
+filesystem and building lists of files.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.log` --- Simple PEP 282-style logging
+=====================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.log
+ :synopsis: A simple logging mechanism, 282-style
+
+
+.. warning::
+
+ Should be replaced with standard :mod:`logging` module.
+
+.. % \subsubsection{\module{} --- }
+.. % \declaremodule{standard}{distutils.magic}
+.. % \modulesynopsis{ }
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.spawn` --- Spawn a sub-process
+==============================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.spawn
+ :synopsis: Provides the spawn() function
+
+
+This module provides the :func:`spawn` function, a front-end to various
+platform-specific functions for launching another program in a sub-process.
+Also provides :func:`find_executable` to search the path for a given executable
+name.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.sysconfig` --- System configuration information
+===============================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.sysconfig
+ :synopsis: Low-level access to configuration information of the Python interpreter.
+.. moduleauthor:: Fred L. Drake, Jr. <fdrake@acm.org>
+.. moduleauthor:: Greg Ward <gward@python.net>
+.. sectionauthor:: Fred L. Drake, Jr. <fdrake@acm.org>
+
+
+The :mod:`distutils.sysconfig` module provides access to Python's low-level
+configuration information. The specific configuration variables available
+depend heavily on the platform and configuration. The specific variables depend
+on the build process for the specific version of Python being run; the variables
+are those found in the :file:`Makefile` and configuration header that are
+installed with Python on Unix systems. The configuration header is called
+:file:`pyconfig.h` for Python versions starting with 2.2, and :file:`config.h`
+for earlier versions of Python.
+
+Some additional functions are provided which perform some useful manipulations
+for other parts of the :mod:`distutils` package.
+
+
+.. data:: PREFIX
+
+ The result of ``os.path.normpath(sys.prefix)``.
+
+
+.. data:: EXEC_PREFIX
+
+ The result of ``os.path.normpath(sys.exec_prefix)``.
+
+
+.. function:: get_config_var(name)
+
+ Return the value of a single variable. This is equivalent to
+ ``get_config_vars().get(name)``.
+
+
+.. function:: get_config_vars(...)
+
+ Return a set of variable definitions. If there are no arguments, this returns a
+ dictionary mapping names of configuration variables to values. If arguments are
+ provided, they should be strings, and the return value will be a sequence giving
+ the associated values. If a given name does not have a corresponding value,
+ ``None`` will be included for that variable.
+
+
+.. function:: get_config_h_filename()
+
+ Return the full path name of the configuration header. For Unix, this will be
+ the header generated by the :program:`configure` script; for other platforms the
+ header will have been supplied directly by the Python source distribution. The
+ file is a platform-specific text file.
+
+
+.. function:: get_makefile_filename()
+
+ Return the full path name of the :file:`Makefile` used to build Python. For
+ Unix, this will be a file generated by the :program:`configure` script; the
+ meaning for other platforms will vary. The file is a platform-specific text
+ file, if it exists. This function is only useful on POSIX platforms.
+
+
+.. function:: get_python_inc([plat_specific[, prefix]])
+
+ Return the directory for either the general or platform-dependent C include
+ files. If *plat_specific* is true, the platform-dependent include directory is
+ returned; if false or omitted, the platform-independent directory is returned.
+ If *prefix* is given, it is used as either the prefix instead of
+ :const:`PREFIX`, or as the exec-prefix instead of :const:`EXEC_PREFIX` if
+ *plat_specific* is true.
+
+
+.. function:: get_python_lib([plat_specific[, standard_lib[, prefix]]])
+
+ Return the directory for either the general or platform-dependent library
+ installation. If *plat_specific* is true, the platform-dependent include
+ directory is returned; if false or omitted, the platform-independent directory
+ is returned. If *prefix* is given, it is used as either the prefix instead of
+ :const:`PREFIX`, or as the exec-prefix instead of :const:`EXEC_PREFIX` if
+ *plat_specific* is true. If *standard_lib* is true, the directory for the
+ standard library is returned rather than the directory for the installation of
+ third-party extensions.
+
+The following function is only intended for use within the :mod:`distutils`
+package.
+
+
+.. function:: customize_compiler(compiler)
+
+ Do any platform-specific customization of a
+ :class:`distutils.ccompiler.CCompiler` instance.
+
+ This function is only needed on Unix at this time, but should be called
+ consistently to support forward-compatibility. It inserts the information that
+ varies across Unix flavors and is stored in Python's :file:`Makefile`. This
+ information includes the selected compiler, compiler and linker options, and the
+ extension used by the linker for shared objects.
+
+This function is even more special-purpose, and should only be used from
+Python's own build procedures.
+
+
+.. function:: set_python_build()
+
+ Inform the :mod:`distutils.sysconfig` module that it is being used as part of
+ the build process for Python. This changes a lot of relative locations for
+ files, allowing them to be located in the build area rather than in an installed
+ Python.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.text_file` --- The TextFile class
+=================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.text_file
+ :synopsis: provides the TextFile class, a simple interface to text files
+
+
+This module provides the :class:`TextFile` class, which gives an interface to
+text files that (optionally) takes care of stripping comments, ignoring blank
+lines, and joining lines with backslashes.
+
+
+.. class:: TextFile([filename=None, file=None, **options])
+
+ This class provides a file-like object that takes care of all the things you
+ commonly want to do when processing a text file that has some line-by-line
+ syntax: strip comments (as long as ``#`` is your comment character), skip blank
+ lines, join adjacent lines by escaping the newline (ie. backslash at end of
+ line), strip leading and/or trailing whitespace. All of these are optional and
+ independently controllable.
+
+ The class provides a :meth:`warn` method so you can generate warning messages
+ that report physical line number, even if the logical line in question spans
+ multiple physical lines. Also provides :meth:`unreadline` for implementing
+ line-at-a-time lookahead.
+
+ :class:`TextFile` instances are create with either *filename*, *file*, or both.
+ :exc:`RuntimeError` is raised if both are ``None``. *filename* should be a
+ string, and *file* a file object (or something that provides :meth:`readline`
+ and :meth:`close` methods). It is recommended that you supply at least
+ *filename*, so that :class:`TextFile` can include it in warning messages. If
+ *file* is not supplied, :class:`TextFile` creates its own using the
+ :func:`open` built-in function.
+
+ The options are all boolean, and affect the values returned by :meth:`readline`
+
+ +------------------+--------------------------------+---------+
+ | option name | description | default |
+ +==================+================================+=========+
+ | *strip_comments* | strip from ``'#'`` to end-of- | true |
+ | | line, as well as any | |
+ | | whitespace leading up to the | |
+ | | ``'#'``\ ---unless it is | |
+ | | escaped by a backslash | |
+ +------------------+--------------------------------+---------+
+ | *lstrip_ws* | strip leading whitespace from | false |
+ | | each line before returning it | |
+ +------------------+--------------------------------+---------+
+ | *rstrip_ws* | strip trailing whitespace | true |
+ | | (including line terminator!) | |
+ | | from each line before | |
+ | | returning it. | |
+ +------------------+--------------------------------+---------+
+ | *skip_blanks* | skip lines that are empty | true |
+ | | \*after\* stripping comments | |
+ | | and whitespace. (If both | |
+ | | lstrip_ws and rstrip_ws are | |
+ | | false, then some lines may | |
+ | | consist of solely whitespace: | |
+ | | these will \*not\* be skipped, | |
+ | | even if *skip_blanks* is | |
+ | | true.) | |
+ +------------------+--------------------------------+---------+
+ | *join_lines* | if a backslash is the last | false |
+ | | non-newline character on a | |
+ | | line after stripping comments | |
+ | | and whitespace, join the | |
+ | | following line to it to form | |
+ | | one logical line; if N | |
+ | | consecutive lines end with a | |
+ | | backslash, then N+1 physical | |
+ | | lines will be joined to form | |
+ | | one logical line. | |
+ +------------------+--------------------------------+---------+
+ | *collapse_join* | strip leading whitespace from | false |
+ | | lines that are joined to their | |
+ | | predecessor; only matters if | |
+ | | ``(join_lines and not | |
+ | | lstrip_ws)`` | |
+ +------------------+--------------------------------+---------+
+
+ Note that since *rstrip_ws* can strip the trailing newline, the semantics of
+ :meth:`readline` must differ from those of the builtin file object's
+ :meth:`readline` method! In particular, :meth:`readline` returns ``None`` for
+ end-of-file: an empty string might just be a blank line (or an all-whitespace
+ line), if *rstrip_ws* is true but *skip_blanks* is not.
+
+
+ .. method:: TextFile.open(filename)
+
+ Open a new file *filename*. This overrides any *file* or *filename* constructor
+ arguments.
+
+
+ .. method:: TextFile.close()
+
+ Close the current file and forget everything we know about it (including the
+ filename and the current line number).
+
+
+ .. method:: TextFile.warn(msg[,line=None])
+
+ Print (to stderr) a warning message tied to the current logical line in the
+ current file. If the current logical line in the file spans multiple physical
+ lines, the warning refers to the whole range, such as ``"lines 3-5"``. If
+ *line* is supplied, it overrides the current line number; it may be a list or
+ tuple to indicate a range of physical lines, or an integer for a single
+ physical line.
+
+
+ .. method:: TextFile.readline()
+
+ Read and return a single logical line from the current file (or from an internal
+ buffer if lines have previously been "unread" with :meth:`unreadline`). If the
+ *join_lines* option is true, this may involve reading multiple physical lines
+ concatenated into a single string. Updates the current line number, so calling
+ :meth:`warn` after :meth:`readline` emits a warning about the physical line(s)
+ just read. Returns ``None`` on end-of-file, since the empty string can occur
+ if *rstrip_ws* is true but *strip_blanks* is not.
+
+
+ .. method:: TextFile.readlines()
+
+ Read and return the list of all logical lines remaining in the current file.
+ This updates the current line number to the last line of the file.
+
+
+ .. method:: TextFile.unreadline(line)
+
+ Push *line* (a string) onto an internal buffer that will be checked by future
+ :meth:`readline` calls. Handy for implementing a parser with line-at-a-time
+ lookahead. Note that lines that are "unread" with :meth:`unreadline` are not
+ subsequently re-cleansed (whitespace stripped, or whatever) when read with
+ :meth:`readline`. If multiple calls are made to :meth:`unreadline` before a call
+ to :meth:`readline`, the lines will be returned most in most recent first order.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.version` --- Version number classes
+===================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.version
+ :synopsis: implements classes that represent module version numbers.
+
+
+.. % todo
+.. % \section{Distutils Commands}
+.. %
+.. % This part of Distutils implements the various Distutils commands, such
+.. % as \code{build}, \code{install} \&c. Each command is implemented as a
+.. % separate module, with the command name as the name of the module.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.cmd` --- Abstract base class for Distutils commands
+===================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.cmd
+ :synopsis: This module provides the abstract base class Command. This class is subclassed
+ by the modules in the distutils.command subpackage.
+
+
+This module supplies the abstract base class :class:`Command`.
+
+
+.. class:: Command(dist)
+
+ Abstract base class for defining command classes, the "worker bees" of the
+ Distutils. A useful analogy for command classes is to think of them as
+ subroutines with local variables called *options*. The options are declared in
+ :meth:`initialize_options` and defined (given their final values) in
+ :meth:`finalize_options`, both of which must be defined by every command class.
+ The distinction between the two is necessary because option values might come
+ from the outside world (command line, config file, ...), and any options
+ dependent on other options must be computed after these outside influences have
+ been processed --- hence :meth:`finalize_options`. The body of the subroutine,
+ where it does all its work based on the values of its options, is the
+ :meth:`run` method, which must also be implemented by every command class.
+
+ The class constructor takes a single argument *dist*, a :class:`Distribution`
+ instance.
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command` --- Individual Distutils commands
+==========================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command
+ :synopsis: This subpackage contains one module for each standard Distutils command.
+
+
+.. % \subsubsection{Individual Distutils commands}
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.bdist` --- Build a binary installer
+===========================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.bdist
+ :synopsis: Build a binary installer for a package
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.bdist_packager` --- Abstract base class for packagers
+=============================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.bdist_packager
+ :synopsis: Abstract base class for packagers
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.bdist_dumb` --- Build a "dumb" installer
+================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.bdist_dumb
+ :synopsis: Build a "dumb" installer - a simple archive of files
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.bdist_msi` --- Build a Microsoft Installer binary package
+=================================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.bdist_msi
+ :synopsis: Build a binary distribution as a Windows MSI file
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.bdist_rpm` --- Build a binary distribution as a Redhat RPM and SRPM
+===========================================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.bdist_rpm
+ :synopsis: Build a binary distribution as a Redhat RPM and SRPM
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.bdist_wininst` --- Build a Windows installer
+====================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.bdist_wininst
+ :synopsis: Build a Windows installer
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.sdist` --- Build a source distribution
+==============================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.sdist
+ :synopsis: Build a source distribution
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.build` --- Build all files of a package
+===============================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.build
+ :synopsis: Build all files of a package
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.build_clib` --- Build any C libraries in a package
+==========================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.build_clib
+ :synopsis: Build any C libraries in a package
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.build_ext` --- Build any extensions in a package
+========================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.build_ext
+ :synopsis: Build any extensions in a package
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.build_py` --- Build the .py/.pyc files of a package
+===========================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.build_py
+ :synopsis: Build the .py/.pyc files of a package
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.build_scripts` --- Build the scripts of a package
+=========================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.build_scripts
+ :synopsis: Build the scripts of a package
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.clean` --- Clean a package build area
+=============================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.clean
+ :synopsis: Clean a package build area
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.config` --- Perform package configuration
+=================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.config
+ :synopsis: Perform package configuration
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.install` --- Install a package
+======================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.install
+ :synopsis: Install a package
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.install_data` --- Install data files from a package
+===========================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.install_data
+ :synopsis: Install data files from a package
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.install_headers` --- Install C/C++ header files from a package
+======================================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.install_headers
+ :synopsis: Install C/C++ header files from a package
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.install_lib` --- Install library files from a package
+=============================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.install_lib
+ :synopsis: Install library files from a package
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.install_scripts` --- Install script files from a package
+================================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.install_scripts
+ :synopsis: Install script files from a package
+
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+:mod:`distutils.command.register` --- Register a module with the Python Package Index
+=====================================================================================
+
+.. module:: distutils.command.register
+ :synopsis: Register a module with the Python Package Index
+
+
+The ``register`` command registers the package with the Python Package Index.
+This is described in more detail in :pep:`301`.
+
+.. % todo
+
+
+Creating a new Distutils command
+================================
+
+This section outlines the steps to create a new Distutils command.
+
+A new command lives in a module in the :mod:`distutils.command` package. There
+is a sample template in that directory called :file:`command_template`. Copy
+this file to a new module with the same name as the new command you're
+implementing. This module should implement a class with the same name as the
+module (and the command). So, for instance, to create the command
+``peel_banana`` (so that users can run ``setup.py peel_banana``), you'd copy
+:file:`command_template` to :file:`distutils/command/peel_banana.py`, then edit
+it so that it's implementing the class :class:`peel_banana`, a subclass of
+:class:`distutils.cmd.Command`.
+
+Subclasses of :class:`Command` must define the following methods.
+
+
+.. method:: Command.initialize_options()(S)
+
+ et default values for all the options that this command supports. Note that
+ these defaults may be overridden by other commands, by the setup script, by
+ config files, or by the command-line. Thus, this is not the place to code
+ dependencies between options; generally, :meth:`initialize_options`
+ implementations are just a bunch of ``self.foo = None`` assignments.
+
+
+.. method:: Command.finalize_options()
+
+ Set final values for all the options that this command supports. This is
+ always called as late as possible, ie. after any option assignments from the
+ command-line or from other commands have been done. Thus, this is the place
+ to to code option dependencies: if *foo* depends on *bar*, then it is safe to
+ set *foo* from *bar* as long as *foo* still has the same value it was
+ assigned in :meth:`initialize_options`.
+
+
+.. method:: Command.run()
+
+ A command's raison d'etre: carry out the action it exists to perform, controlled
+ by the options initialized in :meth:`initialize_options`, customized by other
+ commands, the setup script, the command-line, and config files, and finalized in
+ :meth:`finalize_options`. All terminal output and filesystem interaction should
+ be done by :meth:`run`.
+
+*sub_commands* formalizes the notion of a "family" of commands, eg. ``install``
+as the parent with sub-commands ``install_lib``, ``install_headers``, etc. The
+parent of a family of commands defines *sub_commands* as a class attribute; it's
+a list of 2-tuples ``(command_name, predicate)``, with *command_name* a string
+and *predicate* an unbound method, a string or None. *predicate* is a method of
+the parent command that determines whether the corresponding command is
+applicable in the current situation. (Eg. we ``install_headers`` is only
+applicable if we have any C header files to install.) If *predicate* is None,
+that command is always applicable.
+
+*sub_commands* is usually defined at the \*end\* of a class, because predicates
+can be unbound methods, so they must already have been defined. The canonical
+example is the :command:`install` command.