Hi, Others have to comment on whether we require python or not but it would be nice if you attached your script to a bug report so we could have a look at it and have a record of it. I think it should be OK to require python 2.6 as the lowest supported level to make things simpler. Best regards Anders
________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: den 30 juli 2012 20:27 To: [email protected] Subject: [Wireshark-dev] Is Python Still Considered Optional for the Build Process? What Should the Minimum Version Be? Hi, I've taken it upon myself to streamline the build process a little by using a single Python script for the generation of all registration files (register.c, all instances of plugin.c, tshark-tap-register.c, and wireshark-tap-register.c). This new and improved Python script incorporates all the functionality of four similar but different files that were previously responsible for this: make-dissector-reg(.py), make-tap-reg.py, and make-tapreg-dotc. The approach of the new and improved Python script works well and it benefits the project in a few ways so I'd like to submit it. Now I wonder if I need to port over the Python script to an equivalent sh script for build environments lacking Python. The developer documentation and most of the make scripts imply that Python is optional. However, Python may already be mandatory if I understand things correctly, UseMakeDissectorReg.cmake defines a macro named REGISTER_DISSECTOR_FILES that currently supports only Python for the generation of register.c and all instances of plugin.c, and therefore automake scripts depend on Python. But not being familiar enough with the entire build process, I'm wondering: is Python still optional or is saying so a vestige from yesteryear? Is it time to re-evaluate Python as a hard prerequisite so we can avoid implementing things like this twice? Also, I've taken a dependency on Python 2.5 or later by using the "with" statement (replacing the use of exception frames) when performing file I/O. The master build scripts appear to support versions 2.4-2.7, so my use of the "with" statement is a problem for only the earliest supported version--2.4. According to Wikipedia, Wireshark's supported versions were released as follows: Python 2.4 - November 30, 2004 Python 2.5 - September 19, 2006 Python 2.6 - October 1, 2008 Python 2.7 - July 3, 2010 Is the Wireshark developer community amenable to upping our minimum Python version to 2.5 two for the sake of code readability? Or what about 2.6 which doesn't require using "from __future__ import with_statement" for "with" statement support? Of course these changes would apply to Wireshark versions 1.9 and beyond. Robert Bullen Network Application Analysis (NAA) 1 Meridian Crossing Richfield, MN 55423-3978 Office: 612-973-6216 Email: [email protected] U.S. BANCORP made the following annotations --------------------------------------------------------------------- Electronic Privacy Notice. This e-mail, and any attachments, contains information that is, or may be, covered by electronic communications privacy laws, and is also confidential and proprietary in nature. If you are not the intended recipient, please be advised that you are legally prohibited from retaining, using, copying, distributing, or otherwise disclosing this information in any manner. Instead, please reply to the sender that you have received this communication in error, and then immediately delete it. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------
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