R devel - Aug 2019 - Rtools contains Python interpreter(s), and six copies?

I've just discovered that Rtools (on Windows) contains Python
interpreter(s).
I'm assuming that Python is required to build R packages, on all operating
systems.

I think this is a mistake.

Also, by my count, Rtools contains six Python interpreters.
I've miscounted, I hope...

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On Fri, Aug 2, 2019 at 12:12 AM Abby Spurdle <spurdle.a at gmail.com>
wrote:
>
> I've just discovered that Rtools (on Windows) contains Python
> interpreter(s).
A minimal build of python was included as a dependency of gdb in
Rtools 3.3 and up.
> I'm assuming that Python is required to build R packages, on all
operating
> systems.
Please don't assume but read the documentation (preferably before posting).
> Also, by my count, Rtools contains six Python interpreters.
> I've miscounted, I hope...
We have a dual toolchain so there is a 32 and a 64 bit build of
python2.7.exe. The other names (python.exe and python2.exe) are
symlinks that python automatically creates. These are not in any
location that is ever on the path so nothing to worry about.

(Excerpts only).
On Sat, Aug 3, 2019 at 12:48 AM Jeroen Ooms <jeroenooms at gmail.com>
wrote:
> > I'm assuming that Python is required to build R packages, on all
operating
> > systems.
> Please don't assume but read the documentation (preferably before
posting).

I can't find one reference to Python in the documentation:

https://cran.r-project.org/bin/windows/Rtools/
https://cran.r-project.org/doc/manuals/R-admin.html#The-Windows-toolset

Please write documentation (preferably before changing R).
And I will read it.

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