[Zope-Coders] Zope 2.5 instability problems

[Shane Hathaway]

Martijn Faassen wrote:

> Chris McDonough wrote:
> 
>>Can you try running with Python AccessControl functions in place of
>>the C versions?  You can do this by following the instructions in the
>>following modules in the AccessControl package: SecurityManager.py,
>>DTML.py, PermissionRole.py, ZopeGuards.py, and ZopeSecurityPolicy.py.
>>If you can run ok on the Python-based access control, we'll need to
>>investigate the C access control module.
>>
>>As an aside, that seems like a lot of places that you need to disable
>>C-based access control.  Sigh.
>>
> 
> Yup, it does look like cAccessControl is it. I just ran the 'Shakespeare
> test' (using a Shakespeare play in XML) and with ZOPE_SECURITY_POLICY set
> to PYTHON it passed the test without fail; no crashes now.

Here is a way that contributors could *really* help out: scour the C 
code in Zope.  Make sure that every variable in every C function is 
handled correctly.  Or maybe come up with a "Python C extension lint" 
utility. If anyone would like the challenge, ask me and I'll tell you 
how and where to start.  Note that it's hard work but very gratifying 
when you find something to be corrected. :-)  And it doesn't require 
large time commitments--one hour per day for ten days is almost as 
effective as two five-hour sessions.

Shane