Creating a User Interface with MacPython

There are a number of packages that allow creation of a user interface for your Python code, each of which has its own merits:

• The Carbon package gives low-level access to the old Macintosh toolbox calls for windows, events, dialogs and more. The FrameWork module wraps these in a minimal framework. For documentation see the Macintosh Library section of the Python Language and runtime documentation and the Human Interface Toolbox section of Apple's Carbon Documentation. This solution is compatible with MacPython-OS9.
• The W framework is built on top of this, and easier to use. The MacPython IDE uses W. Some documentation is available on Corran Webster's website. Compatible with MacPython-OS9.

For new work, however, one of the following packages may be better suited. They may be available out of the box in this distribution, otherwise you can install them through the Package Manager:

• PyObjC allows complete access to Cocoa. In technical terms it is a bidirectional bridge between Python and Objectve-C, similar to Apple's Java bridge. Probably the best choice for Mac OS X-only applications, but at the time of this writing PyObjC is still in beta.
• wxPython gives Python programs access to the wxWindows GUI toolkit. Many people consider this the best open source cross-platform GUI solution available today.
• Tkinter is the oldest cross-platform GUI toolkit for Python, bridging Python to Tcl/Tk. If you install AquaTk it creates a native user interface on Mac OS X. Documented in the Library section, Tkinter subsection of the Python Language and runtime documentation. Tkinter is not available for MacPython-OS9.