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gh-136145: Define 'standard library' and 'stdlib' in the glossary #136146

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10 changes: 10 additions & 0 deletions Doc/glossary.rst
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -1280,6 +1280,13 @@ Glossary
and ending with double underscores. Special methods are documented in
:ref:`specialnames`.

standard library
The collection of :term:`packages <package>`, :term:`modules <module>`
and :term:`extension modules <extension module>` distributed as a part
of the official Python interpreter package, or an individual member of
that collection. The exact membership of the collection may vary based
Comment on lines +1284 to +1287
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@terryjreedy terryjreedy Jun 30, 2025

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As a noun, 'standard library' refers to the entire collecton. As an adjective, it can be applied to any member. Giving both definitions in one sentence is confusing.

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The collection of :term:`packages <package>`, :term:`modules <module>`
and :term:`extension modules <extension module>` distributed as a part
of the official Python interpreter package, or an individual member of
that collection. The exact membership of the collection may vary based
The collection of :term:`packages <package>`, :term:`modules <module>`
and :term:`extension modules <extension module>` distributed as a part
of the official Python interpreter package. As an adjective, "a member of"
that collection. The exact membership of the collection may vary based

on platform, available system packages, or other criteria.

statement
A statement is part of a suite (a "block" of code). A statement is either
an :term:`expression` or one of several constructs with a keyword, such
Expand All @@ -1290,6 +1297,9 @@ Glossary
issues such as incorrect types. See also :term:`type hints <type hint>`
and the :mod:`typing` module.

stdlib
An abbreviation of :term:`standard library`.
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Should we hint that this isn't the appropriate term to use in CPython docs?

Suggested change
An abbreviation of :term:`standard library`.
An informal abbreviation of :term:`standard library`.

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Should we hint that this isn't the appropriate term to use in CPython docs?

Seems reasonable ... could use "unofficial" as an alternative to "informal". (seems like this small change has gotten a little nitpicky, so I won't go on)


strong reference
In Python's C API, a strong reference is a reference to an object
which is owned by the code holding the reference. The strong
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