==========
Deployment
==========
Deploying or freezing an application is a crucial part of many Python projects.
Most large projects are not based on a single Python file, so
the distribution of these applications becomes more difficult.
Here are a few distribution options that you could use:
1. Sending a normal zip-file with the application's content.
2. Building a proper `Python package (wheel) `_.
3. Freezing the application into a single binary file or a directory.
If you choose the **third** option, consider using one of these tools:
* `fbs `_,
* `PyInstaller `_,
* `cx_Freeze `_,
* `py2exe `_,
* `py2app `_,
|project| is a cross-platform framework,
so we would like to focus on solutions that work on the three
major platforms supported by Qt: Linux, macOS, and Windows.
The following table summarizes the platform support for those packaging
tools:
=========== ======= ===== ===== =======
Name License Linux macOS Windows
=========== ======= ===== ===== =======
fbs GPL yes yes yes
PyInstaller GPL yes yes yes
cx_Freeze MIT yes yes yes
py2exe MIT no no yes
py2app MIT no yes no
=========== ======= ===== ===== =======
According to this table, only *fbs*, *cx_Freeze*, and *PyInstaller*
meets our cross-platform requirement.
As these are command-line tools, it could be hard to include
resources to your application, such as images, icons, and
meta-information. This means, you will need special hooks
or scripts to handle them before adding to the package.
In addition to this, these tools does not offer a mechanism
to update your application packages.
To create update packages, use the `PyUpdater `_,
which is built around PyInstaller.
The `fbs `_ tool offers a nice UI
that allows the user to install the application step-by-step.
Here you can find a set of tutorials on how to use the previously
described tools.
.. note:: Deployment is supported only from Qt for Python 5.12.2 and
later.
.. toctree::
:name: mastertoc
:maxdepth: 2
deployment-fbs.rst
deployment-pyinstaller.rst
deployment-cxfreeze.rst