Python support and versioning is implemented in 'source/python/Python.pas', 'source/python/PyMath.pas' and 'source/python/PyVersions.inc'.

There are two behaviours: QuArK can either use a bundled Python DLL or a separate Python SDK.

If 'PYTHON_SDK' is defined, QuArK looks for the appropriate DLL in the Windows system directory ('system' for Win95/98/Me and 'system32' for WinNT/2K/XP). The following versions are supported with the appropriate defines set.

• Python 2.3: 'PYTHON23' (python23.dll)
• Python 2.2: 'PYTHON22' (python22.dll)
• Python 2.1: 'PYTHON21' (python21.dll)
• Python 2.0: 'PYTHON20' (python20.dll) - this is the default.

Otherwise, QuArK looks for a DLL called 'python.dll' in QuArK's 'dlls' directory, and uses that, assuming (at the time of writing) that the dll is a Python 2.2 library. Note that if you downloaded a source distribution of QuArK, the appropriate 'python.dll' should be included in the archive.

The bundled Python support is to get around the fact that the version of Python supported can only be set at compile time. It substantially simplifies the installation process for the end user, and makes only one download necessary. It also ensures that all end users are running the same version of Python, removing a possible source of bugs (people using the wrong version of Python for the QuArK binary they have). It also allows us to go ahead with writing code that requires features only available in more recent versions of Python.