Stop using distutils in python module

[rubenrua]

Describe the bug
The python module uses distutils inside the INTROSPECT_COMMAND. But distutils is deprecated with removal planned for Python 3.12. (See the What’s New entry for more information).

To Reproduce
Use the meson Python module with Python 3.12

Expected behavior
Keep working.

A solution could be using sysconfig.get_paths. But maybe keep using distutils for old versions of Python it is necessary.

[eli-schwartz]

Duplicate of #7702

[eli-schwartz]

Note that we already use sysconfig to get path information.

As discussed in the linked ticket, distutils is only used:

• on Debian to discover information that debian goes against upstream Python with, because that information is NOT available in sysconfig despite that upstream Python would like them to add it
• discovering whether an extension module is supposed to link to libpython (dll requirement, elf DT_NEEDED) which is NOT available in sysconfig last I checked, and varies by both python version and OS

Both of these are unsolvable even in python 3.11 nightly, for different reasons.

[rubenrua]

Thank you for the information

FYI the 3.10 version of python in debian and ubuntu has changed its installation scheme from 'posix_prefix' to the debian-specific 'posix_local'. I think 'sysconfig.get_paths()' can be used with that version.

More info https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/python3.10/+bug/1967920