JPype is an effort to allow python programs full access to java class libraries. This is achieved not through re-implementing Python, as Jython/JPython has done, but rather through interfacing at the native level in both Virtual Machines.
Eventually, it should be possible to replace Java with python in many, though not all, situations. JSP, Servlets, RMI servers and IDE plugins are good candidates.
Once this integration is achieved, a second phase will be started to separate the Java logic from the Python logic, eventually allowing the bridging technology to be used in other environments, I.E. Ruby, Perl, COM, etc ...
Why such a project?
As much as I enjoy programming in Python, there is no denying that Java has the bulk of the mindshare. Just look on Sourceforge, the are 3267 Python-related projects, and 12126 Java-related projects. And that not counting commercial interests.
Server-side Python is also pretty weak. Zope may be a great application server, but I have never been able to figure it out. Java, on the other hand, shines on the server.
So in order to both enjoy the language, and have access to the most popular libraries, I have started this project.
What about Jython?
Jython (formerly known as JPython) is a great idea. However, it suffers from a large number of drawbacks, i.e. it always lags behind CPython, it is slow and it does not allow access to most Python extensions.
My idea allows using both kinds of libraries in tandem, so the developer is free to pick and choose.
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