How do you compile Python C/C++ extensions for different OS/versions of Python?

Question

I have noticed that several mature Python libraries have precompiled versions for most architectures (Win32/Win-amd64/MacOS) and versions of Python. What is the standard way to cross-compile your extensions for different environments? Wine? Virtual machines? Crowd sourcing?

Answer 1

We use Virtual Machines and a Hudson server.

We have a Virtual Machine for each architecture we support (generally compiling doesn't stretch the resources allocated to them, so a VM is fine). I guess the configuration of each VM could be managed by something like Puppet or Chef to ensure it is a suitable build environment. You could of course use real machines if you have the hardware, but you'd want to avoid using machines which people are actually using (e.g. developer workstations).

We then use a multi-configuration project in Hudson to setup a build matrix. The build matrix allows us to (with a single click) build multiple python versions, on multiple architectures, but in theory you can build every and any combination you can setup in your matrix. Of course you could use Jenkins instead.