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Extending and Embedding the Python Interpreter
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This document describes how to write modules in C or C++ to extend the Python
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interpreter with new modules. Those modules can not only define new functions
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but also new object types and their methods. The document also describes how
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to embed the Python interpreter in another application, for use as an extension
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language. Finally, it shows how to compile and link extension modules so that
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they can be loaded dynamically (at run time) into the interpreter, if the
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underlying operating system supports this feature.
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This document assumes basic knowledge about Python. For an informal
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introduction to the language, see :ref:`tutorial-index`. :ref:`reference-index`
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gives a more formal definition of the language. :ref:`library-index` documents
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the existing object types, functions and modules (both built-in and written in
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Python) that give the language its wide application range.
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For a detailed description of the whole Python/C API, see the separate
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This guide only covers the basic tools for creating extensions provided
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as part of this version of CPython. Third party tools may offer simpler
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alternatives. Refer to the `binary extensions section
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<https://packaging.python.org/en/latest/extensions/>`__ in the Python
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Packaging User Guide for more information.