setup.py vs Flit

Developers should use setup meets developers should learn flit when they need to quickly package and distribute python libraries, especially for small to medium-sized projects where complex setup is unnecessary. Here's our take.

setup.py

Nice Pick

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

Flit

Developers should learn Flit when they need to quickly package and distribute Python libraries, especially for small to medium-sized projects where complex setup is unnecessary

Pros

• It's ideal for use cases like open-source contributions, internal tool sharing, or educational purposes, as it reduces boilerplate and simplifies publishing workflows compared to traditional tools like setuptools
• Related to: python, pypi

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use setup.py if: You want py when building python libraries or applications that need to be shared, installed, or deployed, as it standardizes packaging and dependency management and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Flit if: You prioritize it's ideal for use cases like open-source contributions, internal tool sharing, or educational purposes, as it reduces boilerplate and simplifies publishing workflows compared to traditional tools like setuptools over what setup.py offers.

The Bottom Line

setup.py wins

Developers should use setup