pyproject.toml vs setup.py

Developers should use pyproject meets developers should use setup. Here's our take.

pyproject.toml

Nice Pick

Developers should use pyproject

Pros

• toml when working on Python projects that require consistent build and dependency management, especially for packaging and distribution with tools like pip, Poetry, or Flit
• Related to: python, poetry

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

setup.py

Developers should use setup

Pros

• py when building Python libraries or applications that need to be shared, installed, or deployed, as it standardizes packaging and dependency management
• Related to: python, setuptools

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use pyproject.toml if: You want toml when working on python projects that require consistent build and dependency management, especially for packaging and distribution with tools like pip, poetry, or flit and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use setup.py if: You prioritize py when building python libraries or applications that need to be shared, installed, or deployed, as it standardizes packaging and dependency management over what pyproject.toml offers.

The Bottom Line

pyproject.toml wins

Developers should use pyproject