python / python/cpython

`check_extension_modules.py` hangs build due to SIGTTIN

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build OS-mac type-bug
Dominant language
Python
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Description

Bug description:

When building Python on macOS with stdin a tty and linking against GNU readline, the build hangs indefinitely.

This is because during the build, python.exe -E check_extension_modules.py is run, which attempts to import the readline module.

At import time of the readline module

  • it runs PyInit_readline
  • which calls get_tty_settings from libreadline.dylib,
  • which ultimately runs an ioctl syscall
  • which immediately suspends the Python process thanks to a SIGTTIN signal.

The Python process isn't supposed to run ioctl syscalls from the background.

I don't know where the fix should go, but I would say it's two separate issues:

  • importing modules during the build sounds like a bad idea due to possible side-effects
  • the readline module running an ioctl call during import risking the process to be suspended when backgrounded sounds bad too.
CPython versions tested on:

3.14, main branch at commit 2c8f26cf5c6ff2398f1e1ed8bfe18e9938bbdebd

Operating systems tested on:

macOS

Linked PRs
  • gh-148279

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start with check_extension_modules.py and the readline import path described in the report, including PyInit_readline and get_tty_settings. Reproduce the macOS build with stdin attached to a tty, then inspect linked PR gh-148279. Done means the build no longer hangs or suspends the Python process in this scenario.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
build-system, operating-systems
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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