reason for this chapter

>I always enjoy reading about the history of a program package.9Python's history is described in the file [.MISC]HISTORY.IIf you are interested in the history of Python for OpenVMS, then read on.$

first contact + Python V1.3

@I first heard about Python when reading issue 3/96 of the German'LINUX MAGAZIN'H(http://www.linux-magazin.de).EThen I found out about the port of Python V1.2 to VMS from Donn Cave,Eenhanced and upgraded it to Python V1.3 (released on 13 October 1995)!which was available at that time.

>It took quite some work to get it running with DEC C and GNU C-(problems with function prototypes and LINK)./A lot of functions were missing in POSIXMODULE.

Python V1.4

,Python V1.4 was released on 25 October 1996.MI've ported one or two 1.4betas and was happy that I had to make less changesfrom one version to the other..I stopped any work with GNU C about that time.

MThis was the first version which I've released under the name 'PYVMS_970216'.1The number suggests the date of 16 February 1997.

BI've continued working with Python on OpenVMS about 5 month later.No, it wasn't a burn-out...

---

PI've invested some time to provide additional routines like utime() or readdir()Lwhich are missing on older VMS versions. Item-code handling has been changedBtotally from arrays in 'C' source files (*_TRNTBL.C) to data files7(VMSDEF_*.DAT) that are translated to macro sources (by-VMSDEF2MAR.COM)Kand then run through the MACRO assembler (with the help of DMACRO_VMS.COM).

(A lot of routines to the runtime library+(LIB$,>LBR$) and system services<(SYS$) have been added.OPlease note that some of these routines are not available in VMS V5.5-2 or 6.0.@The oldest OpenVMS releases I work with are OpenVMS VAX V6.1 andOpenVMS Alpha V6.2-1H3.F
When running under DCL, Python provides a (simple) command historyEthat has been implemented using the screen management library (SMG$).(Note that Python is still line-oriented!

LThe compile procedures have been somewhat enhanced - one can supply a single<file name as parameter_1 - I still don't use a make utility.

Python V1.5

NI've moved the port to the beta releases of Python V1.5 and finally V1.5 whichLwas released on 31 December 1997. It took some time to get around the prefixOhandling. Well, I still have no VMS compliant solution - I just created 2 dummyOfiles in 2 directories to keep Python quiet and left it at that for the moment.

CNext I've started working with callback-routines while implementingFvms_lbr.output_help()and item-lists while writingGvms_lib.set_logical().*It is amazing what one can do with Python!

NIn the midth of January 1998 I've began moving the documentation from a set ofNsimple text files into HTML format. Conversion to '.TXT' files was done with aA(modified) Python program I've found in the article of the German1'LINUX MAGAZIN', that got me started with Python.
Great, eh?#

MAfter some tests I've decided to change/ enhance the program to create outputHin RUNOFF format. RUNOFF - aka DSR - Digital Standard Runoff - is a textLformatter that is supplied with the OpenVMS operating system. The conversionKprogram is now named HTML2RNO.

Python V1.5.1

PPython V1.5.1 was released on 14-APR-1998. I have moved the port to that versionLsome days later and had applied almost all subsequent patches. Some work hasJbeen done to attack the 'prefix problem' (changed GETPATH.C), but it's not finished.

ISince then I have put a lot of work into the documentation and additional(DCL routines to support the maintenance.

HThe first snapshot (V1.5.1 V001P1) was put up on my private home page onwww.decus.de at ??-MAY-1998.

IThe second snapshot (V1.5.1 V001P2) was put up on my private home page onwww.decus.de at 30-JUL-1998.

?The third snapshot (V1.5.1 V001P3) was released on 20-AUG-1998.KThe quadword support is provided by using Python's "long integer" datatype.

FThe fifth snapshot (V1.5.1 V001P5) has never been officially released.

@The fourth snapshot (V1.5.1 V001P4) was released on 04-OCT-1998.

?The sixth snapshot (V1.5.1 V001P6) was released on 27-DEC-1998.

AThe seventh snapshot (V1.5.1 V001P7) was released on 17-JAN-1999.7Octawords are represented as Python long integers, too.7The code of the interfaces has been cleaned up heavily.

PA set of 'VMS objects' has been createdGduring JAN/MAR-1999 and some RMS calls have been implemented. The firstOsuccessfull SYS$GET was done on 11-FEB-1999. During that time the documentationhas been split into 3 manuals.

2Version 1.5.1-V008 was released on 27/28-MAR-1999.G
Version 1.5.1-V009 (an update to V008) was released on 08-APR-1999.

Python V1.5.2

JVersion 1.5.2-V001 was released on 10-MAY-1999. The Python distribution isKavailable in a repackaged format to make installation easier. Documentation"is now in the following 3 manuals:

Version 1.5.2-V002 was released on 16-MAY-1999.3
Version 1.5.2-V003 was released on 13-JUN-1999.3
Version 1.5.2-V004 was released on 11-JUL-1999.3
Version 1.5.2-V005 was released on 24-AUG-1999.

Version 1.5.2-V006 was released on 26-DEC-1999.G: The name 'PYVMS' is being removed, because "VMS" and "OpenVMS" are+ trademarks of Compaq Computer Corporation.

Version 1.5.2-V007 was released on 14-AUG-2000.K: It includes interface routines for most of the SMG$ calls, however not) all are currently tested and documented.K 2 snapshots (V007a + V007b) had been made available to a limited audience.

Python V1.6

5An OpenVMS version of Python V1.6 was never released.

Python V2.0

5An OpenVMS version of Python V2.0 was never released.

Python V2.1

5An OpenVMS version of Python V2.1 was never released.HPREFIX and EXEC_PREFIX have been implemented. New exception handling forEOpenVMS 'errors'. Broken bit mask handling on 'vmsobj' objects fixed.

Python V2.1.1

/Version 2.1.1-V001 was released on 27-JUL-2001.

M(go to: table of contents,?index)

28-JUL-2001 ZE.