Including a binary Python Interpreter into a binary R-package for MS Windows

I've tried both these approaches.

See Ryacas source code to see an example of the binary
download approach.
It has the advantage that the software loads and runs
faster.

Nevertheless, I moved from the binary download approach to
the Jython approach
for my next package, rSymPy, since Jython gives a single
approach that works
on all platforms and installation becomes a "no brainer"
since its all
self contained.

In fact, in most cases its just a matter of:
install.packages("rSymPy").
like any other package.

Thus while its true that Jython is slower but if usrs can't
install it
in the first place
or its too difficult to install it no one will try it in
the first
place and then it
does not matter how fast it is since it will be unused or
less used.

One caveat is that although Jython does make installation
much easier
its still possible to have problems.? e.g. user does
not have
Java or has wrong version of Java or needs certain
permissions.? On Vista
they may need to run R elevated.? 

I expect that as new
versions of Jython
become available (in fact a more recent one became
available after the
last release of rSymPy) things will further improve.

For more info on possible problems with each approach see
the
troubleshooting sections of Ryacas and rSymPy home pages:

http://Ryacas.googlecode.com
http://rSymPy.googlecode.com