@@ -288,27 +288,40 @@ An alternate way to specify extensions is to request "multi-phase initialization
288288Extension modules created this way behave more like Python modules: the
289289initialization is split between the *creation phase *, when the module object
290290is created, and the *execution phase *, when it is populated.
291- The distinction is similar to the :py:meth: `! __new__ ` and :py:meth: ` !__init__ ` methods
292- of classes.
291+ The distinction is similar to the :py:meth: `~object. __new__ ` and
292+ :py:meth: ` ~object.__init__ ` methods of classes.
293293
294294Unlike modules created using single-phase initialization, these modules are not
295- singletons: if the *sys.modules * entry is removed and the module is re-imported,
296- a new module object is created, and the old module is subject to normal garbage
297- collection -- as with Python modules.
298- By default, multiple modules created from the same definition should be
299- independent: changes to one should not affect the others.
300- This means that all state should be specific to the module object (using e.g.
301- using :c:func: `PyModule_GetState `), or its contents (such as the module's
302- :attr: `~object.__dict__ ` or individual classes created with :c:func: `PyType_FromSpec `).
295+ singletons.
296+ For example, if the :py:attr: `sys.modules ` entry is removed and the module
297+ is re-imported, a new module object is created, and, typically, populated with
298+ fresh method and class objects.
299+ The old module is subject to normal garbage collection.
300+ This mirrors the behavior of pure-Python modules.
301+
302+ Additional module instances may also be created in
303+ :ref: `sub-interpreters <sub-interpreter-support >`
304+ or after after Python runtime reinitialization
305+ (:c:func: `Py_Finalize ` and :c:func: `Py_Initialize `).
306+ In these cases, sharing Python objects between module instances would likely
307+ cause crashes or undefined behavior.
308+
309+ To avoid such issues, multiple modules created from the same definition should
310+ be *isolated*: changes to one should not affect the others,
311+ and all state, including references to Python objects, should be specific to
312+ a particular module instance.
313+ See :ref:`isolating-extensions-howto` for more details and a practical guide.
314+
315+ A simpler way to avoid the issues is
316+ :ref:`raising an error on repeated initialization <isolating-extensions-optout>`.
303317
304318All modules created using multi-phase initialization are expected to support
305- :ref:`sub-interpreters <sub-interpreter-support>`.
306- Typically, extensions ensure this in one of these ways:
307-
308- - :ref:`isolating module instances <isolating-extensions-howto>`,
309- - :ref:`raising an error on repeated initialization <isolating-extensions-optout>`, or
310- - limiting a module to the main interpreter using
311- :c:data:`Py_mod_multiple_interpreters`.
319+ :ref:`sub-interpreters <sub-interpreter-support>`, or otherwise explicitly
320+ signal a lack of support.
321+ This is usually achieved by isolation or blocking repeated initialization,
322+ as above.
323+ A module may also be limited to the main interpreter using
324+ the :c:data:`Py_mod_multiple_interpreters` slot.
312325
313326To request multi-phase initialization, the initialization function
314327(PyInit_modulename) returns a :c:type:`PyModuleDef` instance with non-empty
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