[Numpy-discussion] Distributing prebuilt numpy and other extensions

[Zachary Pincus]

Hello folks,

I've developed some command-line tools for biologists using python/ 
numpy and some custom C and Fortran extensions, and I'm trying to  
figure out how to easily distribute them...

For people using linux, I figure a source distribution is no problem  
at all. (Right?)
On the other hand, for Mac users (whose computers by default don't  
have the dev tools, and even then would need to get a fortran  
compiler elsewhere) I'd like to figure out something a bit easier.

I'd like to somehow provide an installer (double-clickable or python  
script) that does a version check and then installs an appropriate  
version of prebuilt binaries for numpy and my C and Fortran  
extensions. Is this possible within the bounds of the python or numpy  
distutils? Would setuptools be a better way to go? Preferably it  
would be a dead easy, one-step thing...

Or is this whole idea problematic, and better to stick with source  
distribution in all cases?

Thanks for any advice,

Zach Pincus


Program in Biomedical Informatics and Department of Biochemistry
Stanford University School of Medicine