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Debian Python Policy
Appendix B - Packaging Tools

This section describes the various tools to help package Python programs and modules for Debian. Although none of these tools are mandatory, their use is strongly encouraged, as the above policy has been designed with them in mind (and vice versa). This appendix is just an overview. If you use these tools, you should read their full documentation.

B.1 python-support

The python-support system provides a simple way to bytecompile pure Python modules and manage dependencies. It integrates with debhelper. When using python-support, you should install your modules to /usr/share/python-support/package rather than the standard Python directories. python-support will then handle compiling the modules and making appropriate symbolic links for installed Python versions to find them, substitute ${python:Depends}, ${python:Versions}, and ${python:Provides} in your control file, and manage bytecompilation in your postinst/prerm.

To use it, call dh_pysupport before dh_python, and make sure you've installed the modules in the right place:

     PREFIX := debian/python-package/usr
     ...
     install:
     	...
     	./setup.py install --no-compile \
     		--install-lib=$(PREFIX)/share/python-support/python-package
     binary-indep: build install
     	...
     	dh_pysupport
     	dh_python
     	...

python-support can also manage private modules. To use this feature, pass a list of directories to be managed by python-support to dh_pysupport and dh_python. python-support cannot handle compiled extensions.

B.2 python-central

python-central provides another way to manage Python modules. It integrates with debhelper, but can also be used without it. When using python-central, you should install your modules normally. It will then move them to its private directory, and manage the same things python-support does.

To use it, call dh_pycentral before dh_python:

     install:
     	...
     	./setup.py install
     
     binary-indep: build install
     	...
     	dh_pycentral
     	dh_python
     	...

python-central can handle compiled extensions for multiple Python versions. If you want python-central to handle private modules, you must pass the list of directories containing them to dh_python (but not dh_pycentral).

If python-central should not move the files to its private directory, useDH_PYCENTRAL=nomove dh_pycentral instead.

Examples for source packages using python-central are pyenchant, python-imaging (modules and extensions), pyparallel (modules only).

B.3 CDBS

FIXME: Someone familiar with CDBS should write this part.

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Debian Python Policy