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)
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