What is the Purpose of `setup.py` in Python Package Distribution?

The Essential Role of setup.py in Python Package Distribution

When you encounter a Python file named setup.py, it signifies that the accompanying module or package adheres to the Distutils standard for distributing Python modules.

Understanding setup.py

setup.py contains vital information for configuring and installing the Python package efficiently. It specifies metadata such as the package name, version, dependencies, and installation instructions.

Configuring setup.py

To customize the behavior of setup.py, you can edit its contents. It contains numerous function calls that allow you to:

• Define package metadata, including the name, version, author, license, etc.
• Specify dependencies, both required and optional.
• Customizing installation instructions, including the directories where the package files should be installed.

Using setup.py

Once configured, setup.py is primarily employed by package installers like pip. To install a package using setup.py, simply run the following command:

$ pip install .

Pip will automatically read and execute setup.py to install the package correctly. Avoid calling setup.py directly as it can lead to unexpected behavior.

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