Gnome, Python, and distutils (setuptools)?

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+2 Q:

Gnome, Python, and distutils (setuptools)?

Currently I'm using the auto-tools to build/install and package a project of mine, but I would really like to move to something that feels more "pythonic".

My project consists of two scripts, one module, two glade GUI descriptions, and two .desktop files. It's currently a pure python project, though that's likely to change soon-ish.

Looking at setuptools I can easily see how to deal with everything except the .desktop files; they have to end up in a specific directory so that Gnome can find them.

Is using distuils/setuptools a good idea to begin with?

+1 A:

In general, yes - everything is better than autotools when building Python projects.

I have good experiences with setuptools so far. However, installing files into fixed locations is not a strength of setuptools - after all, it's not something to build installaters for Python apps, but distribute Python libraries.

For the installation of files which are not application data files (like images, UI files etc) but provide integration into the operating system, you are better off with using a real packaging format (like RPM or deb).

That said, nothing stops you from having the build process based on setuptools and a small make file for installing everything into its rightful place.

Torsten Marek 2009-02-01 21:31:36

So, are you saying that there is nothing pythonic for building/packaging applications written in python? That's a bit disappointing.

Magnus 2009-02-01 21:45:48

Packaging applications depends on the operating system, not on the programming language. An application package (with installer etc) on Windows has to fulfill different requirements than a .deb package, or a Mac OS X app.

Torsten Marek 2009-02-02 14:30:09

Packaging for an operating system is greatly simplified by choosing a good build environment. Many build environments also double as simplistic packaging systems, often source only, e.g. auto-tools, distutils, ruby gems, ... maybe "distribution system" is a better term.

Magnus 2009-02-02 23:08:03

Back to the original question, please! Is there a build environment for applications written in Python that is better (more pythonic) than auto-tools? (Keeping in mind that I have to install files into fixed locations.)

Magnus 2009-02-02 23:11:11

You can try to use python-distutils-extra. The DistUtilsExtra.auto module automatically supports .desktop files, as well as Glade/GtkBuilder .ui files, Python modules and scripts, misc data files, etc.

It should work both with Distutils and Setuptools.

Danilo Piazzalunga 2010-02-18 20:02:37

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Gnome, Python, and distutils (setuptools)?

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