Python in a Nutshell

Embedding Python

If you have an application already written in C or C++ (or any other classic compiled language), you may want to embed Python as your application’s scripting language. To embed Python in languages other than C, the other language must be able to call C functions. In the following, I cover only the C view of things, since other languages vary widely regarding what you have to do in order to call C functions from them.

Installing Resident Extension Modules

In order for Python scripts to communicate with your application, your application must supply extension modules with Python-accessible functions and classes that expose your application’s functionality. If these modules are linked with your application rather than residing in dynamic libraries that Python can load when necessary, register your modules with Python as additional built-in modules by calling the PyImport_AppendInittab C API function.

Setting Arguments

You may want to set the program name and arguments, which Python scripts can access as sys.argv, by calling either or both of the following C API functions.

Python Initialization and Finalization

After installing extra built-in modules and optionally setting the program name, your application initializes Python. At the end, when Python is no longer needed, your application finalizes Python. The relevant functions in the C API are as follows.

Running Python Code

Your application can run Python source code from a character string or from a file. To run or ...