Revision 29 as of 2004-05-20 23:28:56

Clear message

The BoostPython Library binds C++ and Python in a mostly-seamless fashion. It is just one member of the boost C++ library collection at http://www.boost.org.

Use the BoostPython Library to quickly and easily export C++ to Python such that the Python interface is very similar to the C++ interface. It is designed to be minimally intrusive on your C++ design. In most cases, you should not have to alter your C++ classes in any way in order to use them with Boost.Python. The system should simply reflect your C++ classes and functions into Python. Boost.Python bindings are written in pure C++, using no tools other than your editor and your C++ compiler.

The Python [http://www.python.org/sigs/c++-sig/ C++-sig] serves as a mailing list for users of the library. Documentation for the current release is available at http://www.boost.org/libs/python/. Development documentation, which is usually more up-to-date, is available through the [http://cvs.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/*checkout*/boost/boost/libs/python/doc/index.html Boost CVSWeb] interface.

This page serves as a forum to gather peoples' experience and as a cookbook, as it is more dynamic by nature and open to contributors.

Various items:

Tutorial:

  1. /SimpleExample

  2. /ExportingClasses

  3. /OverridableVirtualFunctions

  4. /FunctionOverloading

  5. ["/Inheritance"]
  6. /SpecialMethods

  7. /PeekUnderTheHood

  8. /CrossExtensionModuleDependencies

  9. /WrappingEnums

  10. /PointersAndSmartPointers

  11. /InternalDataStructures

Test cases:


From DavidAbrahams:

Boost.Python is designed with the idea in mind that users never touch a PyObject*.

Boost.Python depends on quite a few of the other boost libraries (possibly a few others):

IIUC, ["weave"] can be used for embedding nontrivial C++ code, if you're willing to stick it all inside one function body. Furthermore, tools like weave.blitz() can make an enormous difference by compiling an entire C++ expression template corresponding to an arbitrarily complicated Python expression. Surely that's nontrivial. It's definitely cool. I think weave offers enormous power to the person who's programming mostly in Python.

Unable to edit the page? See the FrontPage for instructions.