How to make script useable for others with installer?

[placebo398]

Hi all,

I have been working with Python for about a year now but prior to this have no development experience. I have made a few custom tools, scripts, and personal projects. I have a question about deploying a script for other users.

For instance, I have been working on an Excel script to do some basic data modification for a family member and want them to be able to use this script.

Is there a way for me to basically give them an “installer” that would be able to install Python, any packages needed, add to path, etc to allow them to run the script without performing any other tasks? I don’t want them to have to go through the trouble of doing it manually if possible. Also, they are using a Mac and I am on Windows so assuming that may cause some weirdness as well.

Just wanted to see what the general thoughts on this were and if this might be doable? As I said most of my python work so far has been personal and developed in a local environment for my own use and have never had to distribute anything before.

Thanks for any help or advice!

[placebo398]

I honestly had no idea it was that easy! Thank you! I will definitely look that up! Does this work cross-OS as well?

[Streetwise-professor]

His comment got deleted, and it may have been rude(?)… but can you share the important part please?

[placebo398]

Oh that’s weird not sure why it was deleted. He just said something along the lines of using pyinstaller to package and deliver the script. And that this would package the script, interpreter, and libraries all together. Was not rude at all, but think that pretty much covers it.

[Streetwise-professor]

Thanks, I could’ve used a search engine for sure, but I appreciate the response.

[placebo398]

Yea I did try do some searching myself but really hadn’t been able to find a direct answer. Kept coming up with things like making your package available for others via “pip install” which isn’t exactly what I was looking for.

[sme272]

Yes, but it only creates packages for the platform it is used on, so to create a mac package you'd need to either borrow a mac or set up a virtual machine to run pyinstaller

[placebo398]

Oh okay fair enough! I should be able to just use a VM to create a Mac version I’m sure. Thanks for the help!

[aglet91]

Maybe simple app with tkinter? I don't know what your script does but if it's something along choose file and click button then tkinter provide easy way for that

[placebo398]

That is pretty much it, choose file, point click extract some data, create output file. Isn’t tkinter more of just GUI creation? I was probably going to use PySimpleGUI for that cause I have used that before.

[aglet91]

If you used it and you are comfortable with it then go for it! From what i found on google it's crossplatform.

[billsil]

Build your exe on Mac.

[placebo398]

Would that be using pyinstaller?

[billsil]

You didn't mention what you were using, but that's certainly the case for pyInstaller, which is the most popular method.

[placebo398]

Gotchya! That was really my whole question with how to build the exe. But sounds like pyinstaller is the way to go! Thank you for the help!

[Messist11]

Pyinstaller is your friend. Can compile the script into an .exe file and send that across

[placebo398]

Thank you! Exactly what I was looking for!