The article you provided is about Python package building tools, and the evolution from Distutils to Distribute, Setuptools, and Distutils2. A fitting question-based title that focuses on the key tak

Handling Package Building in Python: Distutils, Distribute, Setupextools, and Distutils2

Developers may encounter confusion when managing package building in Python due to the existence of multiple modules: distutils, distribute, setuptools, and distutils2. This article aims to clarify their differences and guide users towards the most modern solution.

Distutils: The Standard but Limited Tool

Distutils is the original package building module included in the Python standard library. It offers basic functionality for building and distributing Python packages. However, distutils has limitations, particularly in support for advanced features such as dependency management and data files packaging.

Distribute: A Fork Merged with Setuptools

Distribute emerged as a fork of setuptools, aiming to address some of distutils' shortcomings. It introduced features like dependency resolution and improved packaging options. However, distribute was later merged back into setuptools 0.7, rendering it redundant.

Setuptools: Feature-Rich and Widely Used

Setuptools was developed to overcome distutils' limitations. It enhances the distutils API, providing a more comprehensive set of features. Setuptools introduces easy_install, a command-line tool for installing packages, and pkg_resources, a module for locating data files installed with a distribution. It is widely used and plays well with pip, the preferred package manager for Python.

Distutils2: An Abandoned Project

Distutils2 was an attempt to consolidate the best features of distutils, setuptools, and distribute into a single, modern tool. However, the project is now abandoned, with its last release dating back to 2012.

Recommended Solution: Embracing Setuptools

For most users, setuptools is the recommended choice for package building. It offers a robust feature set, is well-supported, and works seamlessly with pip. Adopting setuptools simplifies package management and ensures compatibility with the latest Python versions.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between distutils, distribute, setuptools, and distutils2 is crucial for package building in Python. While distutils is now considered deprecated, setuptools remains the industry standard. Embracing setuptools alongside pip offers a reliable and efficient solution for package building and distribution.

The above is the detailed content of The article you provided is about Python package building tools, and the evolution from Distutils to Distribute, Setuptools, and Distutils2. A fitting question-based title that focuses on the key tak. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!