Unable to import external Python libraries or read from files inside the zkVM

[eugenPtr]

Hello frens,

I am trying to generate the proof of computation for a Python script and pyzero seems to be exactly what I've been looking for.

Playing with the examples I haven't been able to do the following:

• read the input data from a file
• use external libraries such as pandas

Would you be able to help me understand why these don't work and whether there is a possible workaround I can use?

PS: I was not able to run the examples out of the box - had to update the risc0-zkvm and risk0-build crates to v1.0.5

[cameronfyfe]

Hi @eugenPtr

Yes this limited behavior compared to running python scripts on a "normal" host is currently expected.

• file read the input data from a file

This is semi-reasonable to make work, but hasn't been built yet. Any approach would involve the host reading any files to be read by the script running in the zkVM and then implementing the file api in the python VM to provide that data properly when called by guest. This custom python library implementation would be similar to how stdout has a custom implementation to commit to the zkVM journal.

• use external libraries such as pandas

This is maybe possible for some libraries but fairly complex.

1. The source code for the library needs to be given to the zkVM by the user running a script as the zkVM has no access to the usual ways of getting a python library installed.
2. For python libraries relying on calls to C/C++ or Rust libraries, the .so files would need to be compiled for RISC-V, but even then my guess is getting them to be loadable from the python executor would be a bit non-trivial.

Thanks for the note about versions, I'll check how smooth upgrading to v1.1 is.