CPython and GCC

Question

If I start python under MacOS X 10.8 in the console it starts with "Python 2.7.2 (default, Jun 20 2012, 16:23:33) [GCC 4.2.1 Compatible Apple Clang 4.0 (tags/Apple/clang-418.0.60)] on darwin".

In what way does the implementation of python depend on GCC?

The python infrastructure (notably its runtime, including its garbage collector) is compiled with some C compiler, and that is GCC or Clang. And you need a C compiler to code extensions for python (usually dlopen-ed shared objects). — Basile Starynkevitch
– Basile Starynkevitch, Commented Oct 17, 2012 at 10:47
I don't udnerstand the downvotes. It is a valid question, probably out of curiosity. — glglgl
– glglgl, Commented Oct 17, 2012 at 10:54
@glglgl, +1. It sounds like a genuine question. I have now upvoted. — saji89
– saji89, Commented Oct 17, 2012 at 10:58

Martijn Pieters · Accepted Answer · 2012-10-17 11:01:16Z

5

Python is implemented in C, and records what version of the C compiler was used to compile it (to aid tracking down compiler-specific bugs).

The implementation itself does not vary based on the compiler. It can vary based on the platform it is compiled for, and the available external libraries, but there is nothing altering Python behaviour based on the compiler used.

answered Oct 17, 2012 at 11:01

Martijn Pieters

1.1m326 gold badges4.2k silver badges3.4k bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

CPython and GCC

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related