Chapter 26. Distributing Extensions and Programs
Python’s distutils allow you to
package Python programs and extensions in several ways, and to
install programs and extensions to work with your Python
installation. As I mentioned in Chapter 24, the
distutils also afford the most effective way to
build C-coded extensions you write yourself, even when you are not
interested in distributing such extensions. This chapter covers the
distutils, as well as third-party tools that
complement the distutils and let you package
Python programs for distribution as standalone applications,
installable on machines with specific hardware and operating systems
without a separate installation of Python.
Python’s distutils
The distutils are
a rich and flexible set of tools to package Python programs and
extensions for distribution to third parties. I cover typical, simple
use of the distutils for the most common packaging
needs. For in-depth, highly detailed discussion of
distutils, I recommend two manuals that are part
of Python’s online documentation:
Distributing Python Modules (available at
http://www.python.org/doc/current/dist/), and
Installing Python Modules (available at
http://www.python.org/doc/current/inst/),
both by Greg Ward, the principal author of the
distutils.
The Distribution and Its Root
A distribution is the set of files to package into a single file for distribution purposes. A di stribution may include zero, one, or more Python packages and other Python modules (as covered in ...
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