This describes the proposal outlined in #8520, with a few
additions/modifications:
* Describes the handling of the Python 2 interpreter
* Allows for normal updates of Python 2 libraries that share the same
Makefile as their Python 3 version
* Mass removal event has a name
Supersedes #8788.
Signed-off-by: Jeffery To <jeffery.to@gmail.com>
@ -21,6 +25,38 @@ This section describes specifics for the Python packages that are present in thi
In terms of license, contributing guide, etc, all of that information is described in the top [README.md](README.md) file, and it applies here as well. This document attempts to cover only technical aspects of Python/Python3 packages, and maybe some explanations about how things are (and why they are as they are).
## Python 2 end-of-life
Python 2 will not be maintained past [1 January 2020](https://pythonclock.org/). As such, we will be transitioning Python 2 programs and libraries to Python 3, and Python 2 packages will be removed in early 2020.
(Discussion for how to handle this transition can be found in [#8520](https://github.com/openwrt/packages/issues/8520).)
### Transition policy / schedule
A mass removal event ("The Snap") will occur on 31 March 2020, or 2 weeks before the freeze for a 20.x release, whichever is sooner. The exact date will be confirmed when the 20.x release schedule is known, or by 15 March 2020.
All Python 2 packages (the Python 2 interpreter, programs that depend on Python 2, and Python 2-only libraries) will be removed during this event.
Leading up to "The Snap":
* In general, new Python 2 packages are no longer accepted
* Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis, given extraordinary circumstances or reasons, until 31 May 2019
* From 31 May 2019 onward, absolutely no new Python 2 packages will be accepted
* The Python 2 interpreter will remain in the feed until "The Snap"
* The interpreter will continue to be updated, including the last release in January 2020 (if there is one)
* Programs that depend on Python 2 will be transitioned to Python 3 (see [#8893](https://github.com/openwrt/packages/issues/8893))
* If a program cannot be transitioned, a suitable replacement will be found
* If a replacement cannot be found, the program will be removed during "The Snap"
* Python 2 libraries will remain in the feed until "The Snap"
* A Python 2-only library will be transitioned to Python 3 (or a suitable replacement found), if its Python 3 version is a dependency of another package in the feed
* Python 2 libraries will receive normal updates until 31 October 2019
* From 31 October 2019 onward:
* Python 2-only libraries will receive security updates only
* Python 2 libraries that share the same Makefile as their Python 3 version will continue to receive normal updates
## Introduction
This sub-tree came to exist after a number of contributions (Python packages) were made to this repo, and the [lang](lang) subtree grew to a point where a decision was made to move all Python packages under [lang/python](lang/python).