PYTHON SOFTWARE FOUNDATION (PSF) ANNOUNCES PYTHON VERSION 2.2.3
New release enhances powerful programming language

FREDERICKSBURG, Va., [May 31, 2003] -- The Python Software Foundation announces the release of version 2.2.3 of the Python programming language. This maintenance release introduces over 120 enhancements to the language and its extensive standard libraries.

"This new minor release of Python provides users with a collection of carefully selected improvements. It is an important part of our commitment to maintaining widely used stable versions of Python," said Guido van Rossum, creator of Python and president of the Python Software Foundation.

Python is a uniquely agile programming language that significantly increases programmer productivity over languages such as C, C++, Java, and Visual Basic. The language is used in mission-critical applications by hundreds of thousands of companies and organizations worldwide, and its user base is growing rapidly.

"RealNetworks uses Python extensively for the infrastructure of the Helix Community (www.helixcommunity.org), including our Python-based build system Ribosome (ribosome.helixcommunity.org) and our Python driven test player (pyplayer.helixcommunity.org). Python has been a great choice for us; it has offered us flexibility and robustness and has made it possible for us to write modular, easily-maintained tools. We're very happy with the results," said Rob Lanphier, Helix Community Coordinator.

Other companies using Python include The New York Stock Exchange, Google, Philips, Hewlett Packard, Rackspace, Industrial Light and Magic, NASA, Disney, Compaq, and AstraZeneca.

About Python

Python is a powerful object oriented programming language that is developed and maintained by a global community of Open Source contributors, under the oversight of the Python Software Foundation. Python's unique blend of simplicity and power excels in a wide range of software development tasks, including the construction of web applications, complex integrated business solutions, and large desktop applications.

Key features of Python include:

• Object orientation, modular name spaces, exceptions, and multi-threading
• High-level dynamic data typing and very late binding
• Tight integration with C, C++, and Java modules
• May be compiled to Java byte code for use in any JVM
• String and regular expression processing
• Extensive XML and web services support
• HTTP, FTP, SMTP, POP, IMAP, NNTP, telnet, and other IP protocols
• HTML, MIME, base64, binhex, uuencode, and other internet data handling
• GUI development and multimedia services
• Unit testing, profiling, and documentation generation
• Available third party modules for database access, math, 3D modeling, image processing, LDAP, WebDAV, jabber, MIDI, and much more

Additional information and downloads are available at www.python.org.

About the PSF

The Python Software Foundation (PSF) is a non-profit organization devoted to advancing Open Source technology related to the Python programming language. The PSF holds the intellectual property rights to Python. Additional information on the PSF is available at http://www.python.org/psf.