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Reference

ActivePython 2.4

Python Documentation

Extending and Embedding

1. Extending Python with C or C++

1.1 A Simple Example

1.2 Intermezzo: Errors and Exceptions

1.3 Back to the Example

1.4 The Module's Method Table and Initialization Function

1.5 Compilation and Linkage

1.6 Calling Python Functions from C

1.7 Extracting Parameters in Extension Functions

1.8 Keyword Parameters for Extension Functions

1.9 Building Arbitrary Values

1.10 Reference Counts

1.11 Writing Extensions in C++

1.12 Providing a C API for an Extension Module

MyASPN >> Reference >> ActivePython 2.4 >> Python Documentation >> Extending and Embedding

ActivePython 2.4 documentation

1. Extending Python with C or C++

It is quite easy to add new built-in modules to Python, if you know how to program in C. Such extension modules can do two things that can't be done directly in Python: they can implement new built-in object types, and they can call C library functions and system calls.

To support extensions, the Python API (Application Programmers Interface) defines a set of functions, macros and variables that provide access to most aspects of the Python run-time system. The Python API is incorporated in a C source file by including the header "Python.h".

The compilation of an extension module depends on its intended use as well as on your system setup; details are given in later chapters.

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