Make Rust python scripts Py3K compatible

[flaper87]

We currently have a bunch of scripts that are not Py3K compatible. This is not a real problem, yet. However, it would be nice to have support for >=py26

[brson]

We used to attempt to be compatible with python 3, but LLVM's build system depends on python 2.

[steveklabnik]

Given that we have the dependency on 2, it's not likely that this is possible.

[huonw]

A script can work with both Python 3 and Python 2; maybe it's pointless to do this while we still have to build LLVM, but if we ever have a good story around using system LLVM's it would be nice for our scripts to be somewhat version agnostic.

[steveklabnik]

Some can, but not in the general case, right?

[sinistersnare]

Yes in the general case. Making forward compatible python code is a good idea right now.

[flaper87]

I think this issue should stay open. It's a nice bug for people willing to contribute to Rust (yes, not exactly rust but oh well).

That said, many systems are now moving to Py3K as the default python version, which makes this kind of more urgent.

I'll re-open it as I might take a stab at it in the next couple of weeks.

[sinistersnare]

@BigBoneDaddy, after a cursory glance, I would say they support 2, with a heavy eye towards 3.

Here is a comment alluding to how they might be py3k compatible

A script that runs exclusively on 2.7

These build commands seem to show that Python2 is the version of choice

Anyways, all of this is speculation, I would love for someone to get in touch with the LLVM guys (im sure someone hear knows one), and ask them what their stance on py3k is.

edit: this page mentions '2.7 or newer', so I wonder if that means that they are py3k compatible. Most projects explicitly say something along the lines of '2.7 and 3.3+'

[richo]

I got as far as making sure make check works on python3 a while ago. afaik llvm is still broken.

[steveklabnik]

Triage: in general, we try to keep our scripts compatible with both. Rather than a generic issue, this is going to be one that's better served by focus issues if and when we break compatibility specifically between version of Python. If you run into any, please open them up! Thanks!