[Python-Dev] MS VC 7 offer

[Brian Quinlan]

Brian> It's free and more standards compliant.
> 
> Then I suggest we have at least one beta which is built using it.

To get me wrong; I think that moving to VC7 for Python 2.3 would be
mistake if VC6 compiled extension modules are not binary compatible. My
understanding was that static libraries are not compatible but that
dynamic ones are. I spent a few minutes with google but wasn't able to
find out.

Assuming that VC6 and VC7 are not binary compatible, here are my
concerns:

1. 3rd party extension developers will have to switch very quickly to be

   ready for the 2.3 release
2. Some 3rd party extension developers may have already released 
   binaries for Python 2.3, based on the understanding that there won't 
   be any additional API changes after the first beta (baring a 
   disaster). 
3. I believe that the installer normally preserves site-packages when
   doing an upgrade? If so, the user is going to be left with extension
   modules that won't work.

Cheers,
Brian