[Zope] PythonScript getting at various Python libraries

[Brian Lloyd]

> Brian Lloyd posted about this recently on zope-dev:
> http://zope.nipltd.com/public/lists/dev-archive.nsf/ByKey/D8B8A71284D49682
>
> I think there's plans for a Utility to do this kindof thing that
> might ship in
> Zope 2.3.1.
>
> Maybe Brian can shed some light?

Here is the contents of the PythonScripts README going out in 2.3.1,
which describes how to make extra modules available. Note that the
Utility module is new for 2.3.1, so you'll have to wait a few more
days for 2.3.1 to be released or use CVS:


Python Scripts


  The Python Scripts product provides support for restricted execution of
  Python scripts, exposing them as callable objects within the Zope
  environment.

  Providing access to extra modules

    Python script objects have a limited number of "safe" modules
    available to them by default. In the course of working with Zope,
    you will probably wish to make other modules available to script
    objects.

    The Utility.py module in the PythonScripts products provides a
    simple way to make modules available for use by script objects
    on a site-wide basis. Before making a module available to Python
    scripts, you should carefully consider the potential for abuse
    or misuse of the module, since all users with permission to
    create and edit Python scripts will be able to use any functions
    and classes defined in the module. In some cases, you may want to
    create a custom module that just imports a subset of names from
    another module and make that custom module available to reduce
    the risk of abuse.

    The easiest way to make modules available to Python scripts on
    your site is to create a new directory in your Products directory
    containing an "__init__.py" file. At Zope startup time, this
    "product" will be imported, and any module assertions you make
    in the __init__.py will take effect. Here's how to do it:

      o In your Products directory (either in lib/python of your
        Zope installation or in the root of your Zope install,
        depending on your deployment model), create a new directory
        with a name like "GlobalModules".

      o In the new directory, create a file named "__init__.py".

      o Edit the __init__.py file, and add calls to the 'allow_module'
        function (located in the Products.PythonScripts.Utility module),
        passing the names of modules to be enabled for use by scripts.
        For example:

          # Global module assertions for Python scripts
          from Products.PythonScripts.Utility import allow_module

          allow_module('base64')
          allow_module('re')
          allow_module('DateTime.DateTime')

        This example adds the modules 'base64', 're' and the 'DateTime'
        module in the 'DateTime' package for use by Python scripts. Note
        that for packages (dotted names), each module in the package path
        will become available to script objects.

      o Restart your Zope server. After restarting, the modules you enabled
        in your custom product will be available to Python scripts.




Brian Lloyd        brian@digicool.com
Software Engineer  540.371.6909
Digital Creations  http://www.digicool.com