These are a few examples on how to use the boost::python library to extend Python with C++ libraries. Some of the are based on the existing tutorial for boost::python from Joel de Guzman. Others are independent.

• CMake (>= 2.8.3)
• Boost (tested with 1.4.2, but should work with >= 1.3.2)
• Python (tested with 2.7, but should work with >= 2.2)
• a C++ compiler for your platform, e.g. GCC or MinGW

The examples should work on Linux, Windows and Mac, but currently have not been tested under Windows.

There is a special package needed called boost-python. The standard boost package will not be recognized by cmake.

• brew install cmake boost-python

Furthermore, for the homebrew python lib to be used, unfortunately the full path has to be given:

cmake -DPYTHON_LIBRARY=/usr/local/Cellar/python/2.7.9/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/lib/libpython2.7.dylib ..

• Set the BOOST_ROOT environment variable if Boost is installed in a non-standard directory
• create a build directory, e.g. directly in the project directory and cd to it: mkdir build ; cd build
• run cmake .. and afterwards make

Alternatively, run the provided build.sh script.

All examples contain tests, but these only try to run the examples without checking the output. Their purpose is mainly to make sure that compilation works and produces valid Python modules.

The code works with PYthon3 both on Linux and on OS X. However, there is an astonshing number of loops to hop through.

• Build Boost::Python against Python 3 (needs at least version 1.56.0)
• make sure python resolves to python3 (e.g., by using a python3 VE)
• run cmake -DBOOST_ROOT=xxx ..

• Build Boost::Python against Python 3 (needs at least version 1.56.0)
• make sure python resolves to python3 (e.g., by using a python3 VE)
• run cmake -DBOOST_ROOT=xxx -DPYTHON_LIBRARY=xxx -DPYTHON_INCLUDE_DIR=xxx ..
• set DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH to the directory where the boost::python shared library resides before make test