Specifically, I want to write a method that outputs a list of equally spaced points along a bezier BUT, I don't mean

[SNIP]

I'm almost certain the two are distinct.  Any suggestions ?  A lot of potential functionality for path effects seem to rest on this ability.

If this is for Inkscape code itself, you might want to look into the routine being used for the "startOffset" of text on a path. There are some aspects of it that seem less than "mathematically pure" to me, but pragmatically are more appropriate for certain solutions. (I think this even counts dealing paths made of disjoint segments)

Anyway, I'm aware of the code involved having been used for something else, but before I could look into details to be able to add startOffset to text-on-path, Bulia told me to look as he'd snuck in and implemented things already.