Python Essential Reference, Second Edition

Converting Data from C to Python

The following function is used to convert the values contained in C variables to a Python object:

PyObject *Py_BuildValue(char *format, ...) 

This constructs a Python object from a series of C variables. format is a string describing the desired conversion. The remaining arguments are the values of C variables to be converted.

The format specifier (see Table B.3) is similar to that used with the PyArg_Parse* functions.

Table B.3. Format Specifiers for Py_BuildValue()

Format	PyType	C Type	Description
"s"	String	char *	Null-terminated string. If the C string pointer is NULL, None is returned.
"s#"	String	char *, int	String and length. May contain null bytes. If the C string pointer is NULL, None is returned.