setup.py

setup.py is a Python script used to define and manage the packaging, distribution, and installation of Python projects. It is part of the setuptools library and specifies metadata such as project name, version, dependencies, and entry points. This file is essential for creating distributable packages that can be installed via pip or other package managers.

Also known as: setuppy, setup script, Python setup, setuptools script, distutils script

Why learn setup.py?

Developers should use setup.py when building Python libraries or applications that need to be shared, installed, or deployed, as it standardizes packaging and dependency management. It is crucial for publishing packages to the Python Package Index (PyPI), enabling easy installation with 'pip install', and managing complex project structures with multiple modules or extensions.

Learning Resources

• docs: Python Packaging User Guide: setup.py
• docs: Setuptools Documentation
• tutorial: Real Python: Python Application Layouts
• video: Corey Schafer: Python Tutorial: setup.py and requirements.txt
• docs: Python Packaging Authority (PyPA) Resources