Source Distributions vs Binary Distributions

June 11, 2022

Python Modules:

• context: pure python file (.py)
• requires: correct version of python, standard library dependencies
• packaging: can be redistributed and reused

Python Source Distributions:

• context: multiple pure python files
• requires: correct version of python, standard library dependencies
• packaging: use python’s native packaging tool to create a Source Distribution Package (sdists)

Python Binary Distributions:

• context: multiple pure python files and compiled extensions (difficult to build components in other languages)
• packaging: use Wheel, a python library used to ship libraries with compiled extensions
  • wheels and sdists are usually uploaded together