Python modules. The distribution, The Cheese Shop and the Vaults of Parnassus.

What if Python doesn't include a class / method that you would like, but you've got that feeling that "surely someone's done this before"?

1. They probably have

2. They've probably made it an available 'Open Source'

3. It's just a question of you knowing where to look!

Where to look ...

a) The built in modules

There's a wide range of Python modules supplied with the standard download that need to be loaded using from or import statements. Start at the Global module Index for these.

b) The Cheese Shop

Contributes modules, not a part of the distribution as they're dealing with specialised or fast-changing technologies and subjects, but maintained on the Python site. See the Cheese Shop Index to start searching.

The Cheese Shop is so named because of the Monty Python Cheese Shop Sketch

c) The Vaults of Parnassus

Contributed modules were for many years maintained at the Vaults of Parnassus, and 'the Vaults' remain an excellent source of more mature modules.

"The Vaults" are named after Mount Parnassus in Greece .. in turn, named after Parnassos, the son of the nymph Kleodora and the man Kleopompous. Read all about the mountain and the mythological background at WikiPedia's Parnassus page
(written 2006-06-05)

Associated topics are indexed under

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  [317] Programming languages - a comparison - (2005-05-20)

Y105 - Python - Functions, Modules and Packages
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  [2929] Passing a variable number of parameters in to a function / method - (2010-08-20)
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  [2440] Optional parameters to Python functions - (2009-10-07)
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Y150 - Python Development Tools and Environments
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Y205 - Further uses of Python
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  [595] Add a friendly front end with Tk - (2006-02-08)
  [190] Python engines - (2005-01-26)

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Some other Articles

Getting rid of variables after you have finished with them
The Fag Packet Design Methodology
Domain Listing Center and Domain Registry of America
Python modules. The distribution, The Cheese Shop and the Vaults of Parnassus.
We can offer a room, but we can't operate on a dog
How to debug a Perl program
A visit from the solicitor
Last week - picture of the Perl course
Finishing up in Dhahran

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