Python Extensions for Geosoft Desktop
Extensions run from Geosoft Desktop will run from a python interpreter that is executed within the context of the Geosoft Desktop program. Geosoft Desktop does not ship with its own Python interpreter. It uses dynamic loading and the version independent Python C API for embedded Python script executions. This means any Windows x64 Python distribution that uses Python 3.4 or higher can be used.
The location and behavior of the Python interpreter for running Python extensions inside Geosoft Desktop is determined either by registry keys, or by environment variables. Environment variables, if set, will have be used regardless of registry settings. Geosoft Desktop users can also define registry keys using the "Settings > Global settings > Python..." menu item and then re-starting Geosoft Desktop.
| Registry | Environment (takes precidence) | Use |
|---|---|---|
PYTHON_HOME | GEOSOFT_PYTHON_HOME | Folder that contains Python distribution (3.4+) to use. This folder contains python.exe. |
PYTHON_DLL | GEOSOFT_PYTHON_DLL | Geosoft Desktop will attempt to launch a background process of the python.exe interpreter found using PYTHON_HOME, from which process inspection is used to determine the location of python.dll that is loaded to embed the interpreter within Geosoft Desktop. The PYTHON_DLL variable should not be necessary but is provided should to deal with a non-standard Python implementation. |
PYTHON_SHOW_CONSOLE | GEOSOFT_PYTHON_SHOW_CONSOLE | If '1' (true), a console is spawned for the duration of every script. Console input and output (such as the output from print() statements) is directed to and from this console. The console remains open after termination of the script ans will require the user to close the console by entering using ctrl-C at the keyboard. |
Stand-Alone Python Programs
Stand-alone Python programs satisfy GX API calls from the geodist.dll, which is part is a normal Geosoft Desktop installation. It is also possible to distribute applications that locate this file as part of the Geosoft redistributable dlls. In this case the GX_GEOSOFT_BIN_PATH environment variable must identify the folder that contains geodist.dll.