Boost.Python - FAQ

###  | # Boost.Python ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I wrap a function which takes a function pointer as an argument?
I'm getting the "attempt to return dangling reference" error. What am I doing wrong?
Is return_internal_reference efficient?
How can I wrap functions which take C++ containers as arguments?
fatal error C1204:Compiler limit:internal structure overflow
How do I debug my Python extensions?
Why doesn't my `*=` operator work?
Does Boost.Python work with Mac OS X?
How can I find the existing PyObject that holds a C++ object?
How can I wrap a function which needs to take ownership of a raw pointer?
Compilation takes too much time and eats too much memory! What can I do to make it faster?
How do I create sub-packages using Boost.Python?
error C2064: term does not evaluate to a function taking 2 arguments
How can I automatically convert my custom string type to and from a Python string?
Why is my automatic to-python conversion not being found?
Is Boost.Python thread-aware/compatible with multiple interpreters?

## How can I wrap a function which takes a function pointer as an argument?

If what you're trying to do is something like this:

    typedef boost::function<void (string s) > funcptr;

    void foo(funcptr fp)
    {
        fp("hello,world!");
    }

    BOOST_PYTHON_MODULE(test)
    {
        def("foo",foo) ;
    }

And then:

    >>> def hello(s):
    ...    print s
    ...
    >>> foo(hello)
    hello, world!

The short answer is: "you can't". This is not a Boost.Python limitation so much as a limitation of C++. The problem is that a Python function is actually data, and the only way of associating data with a C++ function pointer is to store it in a static variable of the function. The problem with that is that you can only associate one piece of data with every C++ function, and we have no way of compiling a new C++ function on-the-fly for every Python function you decide to pass to `foo`. In other words, this could work if the C++ function is always going to invoke the same Python function, but you probably don't want that.

If you have the luxury of changing the C++ code you're wrapping, pass it an `object` instead and call that; the overloaded function call operator will invoke the Python function you pass it behind the `object`.

For more perspective on the issue, see this posting.

## I'm getting the "attempt to return dangling reference" error. What am I doing wrong?

That exception is protecting you from causing a nasty crash. It usually happens in response to some code like this:

    period const& get_floating_frequency() const
    {
      return boost::python::call_method<period const&>(
          m_self,"get_floating_frequency");
    }

And you get:

    ReferenceError: Attempt to return dangling reference to object of type:
    class period

In this case, the Python method invoked by `call_method` constructs a new Python object. You're trying to return a reference to a C++ object (an instance of `class period`) contained within and owned by that Python object. Because the called method handed back a brand new object, the only reference to it is held for the duration of `get_floating_frequency()` above. When the function returns, the Python object will be destroyed, destroying the instance of `class period`, and leaving the returned reference dangling. That's already undefined behavior, and if you try to do anything with that reference you're likely to cause a crash. Boost.Python detects this situation at runtime and helpfully throws an exception instead of letting you do that.

## Is return_internal_reference efficient?

> Q: I have an object composed of 12 doubles. A const& to this object is returned by a member function of another class. From the viewpoint of using the returned object in Python I do not care if I get a copy or a reference to the returned object. In Boost.Python Version 2 I have the choice of using copy_const_reference or return_internal_reference. Are there considerations that would lead me to prefer one over the other, such as size of generated code or memory overhead?

> A: copy_const_reference will make an instance with storage for one of your objects, size = base_size + 12 * sizeof(double). return_internal_reference will make an instance with storage for a pointer to one of your objects, size = base_size + sizeof(void*). However, it will also create a weak reference object which goes in the source object's weakreflist and a special callback object to manage the lifetime of the internally-referenced object. My guess? copy_const_reference is your friend here, resulting in less overall memory use and less fragmentation, also probably fewer total cycles.

## How can I wrap functions which take C++ containers as arguments?

Ralf W. Grosse-Kunstleve provides these notes:

1. Using the regular `class_<>` wrapper:

       class_<std::vector<double> >("std_vector_double")
         .def(...)
         ...
         ;

   This can be moved to a template so that several types (double, int, long, etc.) can be wrapped with the same code. This technique is used in the file

   > scitbx/include/scitbx/array_family/boost_python/flex_wrapper.h

   in the "scitbx" package. The file could easily be modified for wrapping std::vector<> instantiations.

   This type of C++/Python binding is most suitable for containers that may contain a large number of elements (>10000).

2. Using custom rvalue converters. Boost.Python "rvalue converters" match function signatures such as:

       void foo(std::vector<double> const& array); // pass by const-reference
       void foo(std::vector<double> array); // pass by value

   Some custom rvalue converters are implemented in the file

   > scitbx/include/scitbx/boost_python/container_conversions.h

   This code can be used to convert from C++ container types such as std::vector<> or std::list<> to Python tuples and vice versa. A few simple examples can be found in the file

   > scitbx/array_family/boost_python/regression_test_module.cpp

   Automatic C++ container <-> Python tuple conversions are most suitable for containers of moderate size. These converters generate significantly less object code compared to alternative 1 above.

A disadvantage of using alternative 2 is that operators such as arithmetic +,-,*,/,% are not available. It would be useful to have custom rvalue converters that convert to a "math_array" type instead of tuples. This is currently not implemented but is possible within the framework of Boost.Python V2 as it will be released in the next couple of weeks. [ed.: this was posted on 2002/03/10]

It would also be useful to also have "custom lvalue converters" such as std::vector<> <-> Python list. These converters would support the modification of the Python list from C++. For example:

C++:

    void foo(std::vector<double>& array)
    {
      for(std::size_t i=0;i<array.size();i++) {
        array[i] *= 2;
      }
    }

Python:

    >>> l = [1, 2, 3]
    >>> foo(l)
    >>> print l
    [2, 4, 6]

Custom lvalue converters require changes to the Boost.Python core library and are currently not available.

P.S.:

The "scitbx" files referenced above are available via anonymous CVS:

    cvs -d:pserver:anonymous@cvs.cctbx.sourceforge.net:/cvsroot/cctbx login
    cvs -d:pserver:anonymous@cvs.cctbx.sourceforge.net:/cvsroot/cctbx co scitbx

## fatal error C1204:Compiler limit:internal structure overflow

> Q: I get this error message when compiling a large source file. What can I do?

> A: You have two choices:

> 1. Upgrade your compiler (preferred)
> 2. Break your source file up into multiple translation units.

>    `my_module.cpp`:

>        ...
>        void more_of_my_module();
>        BOOST_PYTHON_MODULE(my_module)
>        {
>           def("foo", foo);
>           def("bar", bar);
>           ...
>           more_of_my_module();
>        }

>    `more_of_my_module.cpp`:

>        void more_of_my_module()
>        {
>           def("baz", baz);
>           ...
>        }

>    If you find that a `class_<...>` declaration can't fit in a single source file without triggering the error, you can always pass a reference to the `class_` object to a function in another source file, and call some of its member functions (e.g. `.def(...)`) in the auxilliary source file:

>    `more_of_my_class.cpp`:

>        void more_of_my_class(class<my_class>& x)
>        {
>           x
>             .def("baz", baz)
>             .add_property("xx", &my_class::get_xx, &my_class::set_xx)
>             ;

>           ...
>        }

## How do I debug my Python extensions?

Greg Burley gives the following answer for Unix GCC users:

> Once you have created a boost python extension for your c++ library or class, you may need to debug the code. Afterall this is one of the reasons for wrapping the library in python. An expected side-effect or benefit of using BPL is that debugging should be isolated to the c++ library that is under test, given that python code is minimal and boost::python either works or it doesn't. (ie. While errors can occur when the wrapping method is invalid, most errors are caught by the compiler ;-).

> The basic steps required to initiate a gdb session to debug a c++ library via python are shown here. Note, however that you should start the gdb session in the directory that contains your BPL my_ext.so module.

>     (gdb) target exec python
>     (gdb) run
>      >>> from my_ext import *
>      >>> [C-c]
>     (gdb) break MyClass::MyBuggyFunction
>     (gdb) cont
>      >>> pyobj = MyClass()
>      >>> pyobj.MyBuggyFunction()
>     Breakpoint 1, MyClass::MyBuggyFunction ...
>     Current language:  auto; currently c++
>     (gdb) do debugging stuff

Greg's approach works even better using Emacs' "`gdb`" command, since it will show you each line of source as you step through it.

On Windows, my favorite debugging solution is the debugger that comes with Microsoft Visual C++ 7. This debugger seems to work with code generated by all versions of Microsoft and Metrowerks toolsets; it's rock solid and "just works" without requiring any special tricks from the user.

Raoul Gough has provided the following for gdb on Windows:

> gdb support for Windows DLLs has improved lately, so it is now possible to debug Python extensions using a few tricks. Firstly, you will need an up-to-date gdb with support for minimal symbol extraction from a DLL. Any gdb from version 6 onwards, or Cygwin gdb-20030214-1 and onwards should do. A suitable release will have a section in the gdb.info file under Configuration – Native – Cygwin Native – Non-debug DLL symbols. Refer to that info section for more details of the procedures outlined here.

> Secondly, it seems necessary to set a breakpoint in the Python interpreter, rather than using ^C to break execution. A good place to set this breakpoint is PyOS_Readline, which will stop execution immediately before reading each interactive Python command. You have to let Python start once under the debugger, so that it loads its own DLL, before you can set the breakpoint:

>     $ gdb python
>     GNU gdb 2003-09-02-cvs (cygwin-special)
>     [...]

>     (gdb) run
>     Starting program: /cygdrive/c/Python22/python.exe
>     Python 2.2.2 (#37, Oct 14 2002, 17:02:34) [MSC 32 bit (Intel)] on win32
>     Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>     >>> ^Z

>     Program exited normally.
>     (gdb) break *&PyOS_Readline
>     Breakpoint 1 at 0x1e04eff0
>     (gdb) run
>     Starting program: /cygdrive/c/Python22/python.exe
>     Python 2.2.2 (#37, Oct 14 2002, 17:02:34) [MSC 32 bit (Intel)] on win32
>     Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.

>     Breakpoint 1, 0x1e04eff0 in python22!PyOS_Readline ()
>        from /cygdrive/c/WINNT/system32/python22.dll
>     (gdb) cont
>     Continuing.
>     >>> from my_ext import *

>     Breakpoint 1, 0x1e04eff0 in python22!PyOS_Readline ()
>        from /cygdrive/c/WINNT/system32/python22.dll
>     (gdb) # my_ext now loaded (with any debugging symbols it contains)

### Debugging extensions through Boost.Build

If you are launching your extension module tests with Boost.Build using the `boost-python-runtest` rule, you can ask it to launch your debugger for you by adding "--debugger=debugger" to your bjam command-line:

    bjam -sTOOLS=vc7.1 "--debugger=devenv /debugexe" test
    bjam -sTOOLS=gcc -sPYTHON_LAUNCH=gdb test

It can also be extremely useful to add the `-d+2` option when you run your test, because Boost.Build will then show you the exact commands it uses to invoke it. This will invariably involve setting up PYTHONPATH and other important environment variables such as LD_LIBRARY_PATH which may be needed by your debugger in order to get things to work right.

## Why doesn't my `*=` operator work?

> Q: I have exported my class to python, with many overloaded operators. it works fine for me except the `*=` operator. It always tells me "can't multiply sequence with non int type". If I use `p1.__imul__(p2)` instead of `p1 *= p2`, it successfully executes my code. What's wrong with me?

> A: There's nothing wrong with you. This is a bug in Python 2.2. You can see the same effect in Pure Python (you can learn a lot about what's happening in Boost.Python by playing with new-style classes in Pure Python).

>     >>> class X(object):
>     ...     def __imul__(self, x):
>     ...         print 'imul'
>     ...
>     >>> x = X()
>     >>> x *= 1

> To cure this problem, all you need to do is upgrade your Python to version 2.2.1 or later.

## Does Boost.Python work with Mac OS X?

It is known to work under 10.2.8 and 10.3 using Apple's gcc 3.3 compiler:

    gcc (GCC) 3.3 20030304 (Apple Computer, Inc. build 1493)

Under 10.2.8 get the August 2003 gcc update (free at http://connect.apple.com/). Under 10.3 get the Xcode Tools v1.0 (also free).

Python 2.3 is required. The Python that ships with 10.3 is fine. Under 10.2.8 use these commands to install Python as a framework:

    ./configure --enable-framework
    make
    make frameworkinstall

The last command requires root privileges because the target directory is `/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.3`. However, the installation does not interfere with the Python version that ships with 10.2.8.

It is also crucial to increase the `stacksize` before starting compilations, e.g.:

    limit stacksize 8192k

If the `stacksize` is too small the build might crash with internal compiler errors.

Sometimes Apple's compiler exhibits a bug by printing an error like the following while compiling a `boost::python::class_<your_type>` template instantiation:

    .../inheritance.hpp:44: error: cannot
     dynamic_cast `p' (of type `struct cctbx::boost_python::<unnamed>::add_pair*
       ') to type `void*' (source type is not polymorphic)

We do not know a general workaround, but if the definition of `your_type` can be modified the following was found to work in all cases encountered so far:

    struct your_type
    {
      // before defining any member data
    #if defined(__MACH__) && defined(__APPLE_CC__) && __APPLE_CC__ == 1493
      bool dummy_;
    #endif
      // now your member data, e.g.
      double x;
      int j;
      // etc.
    };

## How can I find the existing PyObject that holds a C++ object?

> "I am wrapping a function that always returns a pointer to an already-held C++ object."

One way to do that is to hijack the mechanisms used for wrapping a class with virtual functions. If you make a wrapper class with an initial PyObject* constructor argument and store that PyObject* as "self", you can get back to it by casting down to that wrapper type in a thin wrapper function. For example:

    class X { X(int); virtual ~X(); ... };
    X* f();  // known to return Xs that are managed by Python objects

    // wrapping code

    struct X_wrap : X
    {
        X_wrap(PyObject* self, int v) : self(self), X(v) {}
        PyObject* self;
    };

    handle<> f_wrap()
    {
        X_wrap* xw = dynamic_cast<X_wrap*>(f());
        assert(xw != 0);
        return handle<>(borrowed(xw->self));
    }

    ...

    def("f", f_wrap());
    class_<X,X_wrap,boost::noncopyable>("X", init<int>())
       ...
       ;

Of course, if X has no virtual functions you'll have to use `static_cast` instead of `dynamic_cast` with no runtime check that it's valid. This approach also only works if the `X` object was constructed from Python, because `X`s constructed from C++ are of course never `X_wrap` objects.

Another approach to this requires you to change your C++ code a bit; if that's an option for you it might be a better way to go. work we've been meaning to get to anyway. When a `shared_ptr<X>` is converted from Python, the shared_ptr actually manages a reference to the containing Python object. When a shared_ptr<X> is converted back to Python, the library checks to see if it's one of those "Python object managers" and if so just returns the original Python object. So you could just write `object(p)` to get the Python object back. To exploit this you'd have to be able to change the C++ code you're wrapping so that it deals with shared_ptr instead of raw pointers.

There are other approaches too. The functions that receive the Python object that you eventually want to return could be wrapped with a thin wrapper that records the correspondence between the object address and its containing Python object, and you could have your f_wrap function look in that mapping to get the Python object out.

## How can I wrap a function which needs to take ownership of a raw pointer?

> Part of an API that I'm wrapping goes something like this:

>     struct A {}; struct B { void add( A* ); }
>     where B::add() takes ownership of the pointer passed to it.

> However:

>     a = mod.A()
>     b = mod.B()
>     b.add( a )
>     del a
>     del b
>     # python interpreter crashes
>     # later due to memory corruption.

> Even binding the lifetime of a to b via with_custodian_and_ward doesn't prevent the python object a from ultimately trying to delete the object it's pointing to. Is there a way to accomplish a 'transfer-of-ownership' of a wrapped C++ object?

> --Bruce Lowery

Yes: Make sure the C++ object is held by auto_ptr:

    class_<A, std::auto_ptr<A> >("A")
        ...
        ;

Then make a thin wrapper function which takes an auto_ptr parameter:

    void b_insert(B& b, std::auto_ptr<A> a)
    {
        b.insert(a.get());
        a.release();
    }

Wrap that as B.add. Note that pointers returned via `manage_new_object` will also be held by `auto_ptr`, so this transfer-of-ownership will also work correctly.

## Compilation takes too much time and eats too much memory! What can I do to make it faster?

Please refer to the Reducing Compiling Time section in the tutorial.

## How do I create sub-packages using Boost.Python?

Please refer to the Creating Packages section in the tutorial.

## error C2064: term does not evaluate to a function taking 2 arguments

Niall Douglas provides these notes:

If you see Microsoft Visual C++ 7.1 (MS Visual Studio .NET 2003) issue an error message like the following it is most likely due to a bug in the compiler:

    boost\boost\python\detail\invoke.hpp(76):
    error C2064: term does not evaluate to a function taking 2 arguments"

This message is triggered by code like the following:

    #include <boost/python.hpp>

    using namespace boost::python;

    class FXThread
    {
    public:
        bool setAutoDelete(bool doso) throw();
    };

    void Export_FXThread()
    {
        class_< FXThread >("FXThread")
            .def("setAutoDelete", &FXThread::setAutoDelete)
        ;
    }

The bug is related to the `throw()` modifier. As a workaround cast off the modifier. E.g.:

            .def("setAutoDelete", (bool (FXThread::*)(bool)) &FXThread::setAutoDelete)

(The bug has been reported to Microsoft.)

## How can I automatically convert my custom string type to and from a Python string?

Ralf W. Grosse-Kunstleve provides these notes:

Below is a small, self-contained demo extension module that shows how to do this. Here is the corresponding trivial test:

    import custom_string
    assert custom_string.hello() == "Hello world."
    assert custom_string.size("california") == 10

If you look at the code you will find:

- A custom `to_python` converter (easy): `custom_string_to_python_str`
- A custom lvalue converter (needs more code): `custom_string_from_python_str`

The custom converters are registered in the global Boost.Python registry near the top of the module initialization function. Once flow control has passed through the registration code the automatic conversions from and to Python strings will work in any module imported in the same process.

    #include <boost/python/module.hpp>
    #include <boost/python/def.hpp>
    #include <boost/python/to_python_converter.hpp>

    namespace sandbox { namespace {

      class custom_string
      {
        public:
          custom_string() {}
          custom_string(std::string const& value) : value_(value) {}
          std::string const& value() const { return value_; }
        private:
          std::string value_;
      };

      struct custom_string_to_python_str
      {
        static PyObject* convert(custom_string const& s)
        {
          return boost::python::incref(boost::python::object(s.value()).ptr());
        }
      };

      struct custom_string_from_python_str
      {
        custom_string_from_python_str()
        {
          boost::python::converter::registry::push_back(
            &convertible,
            &construct,
            boost::python::type_id<custom_string>());
        }

        static void* convertible(PyObject* obj_ptr)
        {
          if (!PyString_Check(obj_ptr)) return 0;
          return obj_ptr;
        }

        static void construct(
          PyObject* obj_ptr,
          boost::python::converter::rvalue_from_python_stage1_data* data)
        {
          const char* value = PyString_AsString(obj_ptr);
          if (value == 0) boost::python::throw_error_already_set();
          void* storage = (
            (boost::python::converter::rvalue_from_python_storage<custom_string>*)
              data)->storage.bytes;
          new (storage) custom_string(value);
          data->convertible = storage;
        }
      };

      custom_string hello() { return custom_string("Hello world."); }

      std::size_t size(custom_string const& s) { return s.value().size(); }

      void init_module()
      {
        using namespace boost::python;

        boost::python::to_python_converter<
          custom_string,
          custom_string_to_python_str>();

        custom_string_from_python_str();

        def("hello", hello);
        def("size", size);
      }

    }} // namespace sandbox::<anonymous>

    BOOST_PYTHON_MODULE(custom_string)
    {
      sandbox::init_module();
    }

## Why is my automatic to-python conversion not being found?

Niall Douglas provides these notes:

If you define custom converters similar to the ones shown above the `def_readonly()` and `def_readwrite()` member functions provided by `boost::python::class_` for direct access to your member data will not work as expected. This is because `def_readonly("bar", &foo::bar)` is equivalent to:

    .add_property("bar", make_getter(&foo::bar, return_internal_reference()))

Similarly, `def_readwrite("bar", &foo::bar)` is equivalent to:

    .add_property("bar", make_getter(&foo::bar, return_internal_reference()),
                         make_setter(&foo::bar, return_internal_reference())

In order to define return value policies compatible with the custom conversions replace `def_readonly()` and `def_readwrite()` by `add_property()`. E.g.:

    .add_property("bar", make_getter(&foo::bar, return_value_policy<return_by_value>()),
                         make_setter(&foo::bar, return_value_policy<return_by_value>()))

## Is Boost.Python thread-aware/compatible with multiple interpreters?

Niall Douglas provides these notes:

The quick answer to this is: no.

The longer answer is that it can be patched to be so, but it's complex. You will need to add custom lock/unlock wrapping of every time your code enters Boost.Python (particularly every virtual function override) plus heavily modify `boost/python/detail/invoke.hpp` with custom unlock/lock wrapping of every time Boost.Python enters your code. You must furthermore take care to not unlock/lock when Boost.Python is invoking iterator changes via `invoke.hpp`.

There is a patched `invoke.hpp` posted on the C++-SIG mailing list archives and you can find a real implementation of all the machinery necessary to fully implement this in the TnFOX project at this SourceForge project location.

Revised 12 March, 2006

© Copyright Dave Abrahams 2002-2006.