def load_file(filename, out=sys.stdout):
    """
    load a Python source file and compile it to byte-code
    _load_file(filename: string): code_object
    filename:	name of file containing Python source code
                (normally a .py)
    code_object: code_object compiled from this source code
    This function does NOT write any file!
    """
    fp = open(filename, 'rb')
    try:
      source = fp.read()
      try:
          if PYTHON_VERSION < 2.6:
              co = compile(source, filename, 'exec')
          else:
              co = compile(source, filename, 'exec', dont_inherit=True)
      except SyntaxError:
          out.write('>>Syntax error in %s\n' % filename)
          raise
    finally:
      fp.close()
    return co
load a Python source file and compile it to byte-code
    _load_file(filename: string): code_object
    filename:	name of file containing Python source code
                (normally a .py)
    code_object: code_object compiled from this source code
    This function does NOT write any file!