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(python2.1-api.info)Introduction

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Introduction
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The Application Programmer's Interface to Python gives C and C++
programmers access to the Python interpreter at a variety of levels.
The API is equally usable from C++, but for brevity it is generally
referred to as the Python/C API.  There are two fundamentally different
reasons for using the Python/C API.  The first reason is to write
_extension modules_ for specific purposes; these are C modules that
extend the Python interpreter.  This is probably the most common use.
The second reason is to use Python as a component in a larger
application; this technique is generally referred to as "embedding"
Python in an application.

Writing an extension module is a relatively well-understood process,
where a "cookbook" approach works well.  There are several tools that
automate the process to some extent.  While people have embedded Python
in other applications since its early existence, the process of
embedding Python is less straightforward than writing an extension.

Many API functions are useful independent of whether you're embedding
or extending Python; moreover, most applications that embed Python will
need to provide a custom extension as well, so it's probably a good
idea to become familiar with writing an extension before attempting to
embed Python in a real application.

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Exceptions

Embedding Python