Dear Python Modules team, I'm seeking guidance from a source of experience and authority on the correct way to turn my Python eggs into Debian packages. My interest in doing this is that I'm a committed Debian (and Ubuntu) user, also that I do most of my development in Python. *Most importantly, I want to be in a position whereby my successful personal Python projects are in good shape to be contributed to the public arena.* If I get to a successful outcome, I'll be very happy to document what I've done and learnt on my website for others to refer to.
The central question I'm trying to answer is this: Q.) If I already have a Python sdist/egg which can be installed with setuptools, can I just roll the Debian package around that and use setuptools during the install/remove process? ----- The Debian Python Policy lists 'distutils' at the head of it's Packaging Tools list (http://www.debian.org/doc/packaging-manuals/python-policy/ap-packaging_tools.html), is it hinting at the approach suggested in my question? ----- My simple goals... 1) Manually construct (well, dh_make) and build a Debian package, maintaining Debian control files in source control - goal is to minimise coupling between Debian package files and contained Python sdist/egg - ideally Debian package is just a wrapper for the egg, stating version and dependency management 2) Host one copy of the Debian package in my Debian repo (reprepro) - include the same file once for each Debian version (lenny, squeeze, sid) - only produce a variant package for a Debian version where the source code dictates it (like library dependencies) 3) Install using aptitude …for Debianizing my current state: - All the files (sources, Makefile) are all managed under one directory in source control (i.e. I'm not pulling a source tgz from elsewhere) - I can already build Python sdist, bdist_egg - My installation process from sdist is currently: % tar zxvf X.tar.gz % cd X % sudo python setup.py install --record install-record.txt - My install process from egg is currently: % sudo easy_install --record install-record.txt X.egg - My uninstall process is currently: % cat install-record.txt | xargs sudo rm -f ----- I already construct Debian packages for some non-Python projects I have, so I know it that the subject is a large and sometimes complicated one. I've previously used python-support (once) with success but now see that it's deprecated. The link I gave above lists 5 different tools which suggests that the topic is probably not as simple as 'just' rolling a package around the egg. What I can't find anywhere is a good description of what the root causes for that are. (Is it the Python version, compiled libraries, install locations, ???) ----- Oh, and before I forget, if you're not familiar with English 'cuisine' here's my mental model for rolling Debian scotch around the Python egg from the Subject: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2010/apr/20/consider-the-scotch-egg Many thanks in advance for any help or advice you can offer, and, of course, your time in doing so. Br., David Spence
