title: How to read/write binary 16-bit data in Python 2.x?
body: <p>I have to read and write binary data, where each element of data:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>size = 2 bytes (16 bit) </li>
  <li>encoding =    signed 2's complement</li>
  <li>endiannes = big    or little (must be
  selectable)</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>Is it possible without using any external module? If yes,</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>How to read such data from a binary
  file using read() into an array L of
  integers?</li>
  <li>How to write array of integers L
  into a binary file using write()?</li>
  </ol>