Python 3.12 removed the last batch of C functions related to the old Py_UNICODE type. But the type itself is still part of the C API. It is still used in some area of the Python code base where the wchar_t type should be used instead.

I propose to deprecate the Py_UNICODE type and schedule its removal in Python 3.15. This type should not be used since Python 3.3: PEP 393.

Linked PRs

• gh-105156: Deprecate the old Py_UNICODE type in C API #105157
• gh-105156: Cleanup usage of old Py_UNICODE type #105158
• gh-105156: Argument Clinic avoids Py_UNICODE type #105161
• gh-105156: Update Lib/test/clinic.test manually #105180
• gh-105156: Update Unicode C API: remove deprecation #105379