[Distutils] [Python-Dev] How we can get rid of eggs for 2.6 and beyond

["Martin v. Löwis"]

>> Sure, but what is precisely the semantics of uninstallation, in
>> terms of changes to the system state?
>>
>> I think any model where uninstallation is merely the removal
>> of files is too limited to be practical.
> 
> The distutils only support the *addition* of files, so I'm not sure 
> how only removing files is a limit here.  Could you explain?

For files, yes, it only supports addition. But it supports
arbitrary other actions, such as:
- addition of registry keys
- addition of user accounts
- creation of database tables in a relational database
- updating the shared library loader path
- creation and start of a system service
- integration of documentation into info
- registration of DTDs with the system catalog
- ...

It's turing-complete, and it has full interface to the operating
system, so installation of a distutils package can do *much*
more than merely installing files.

Uninstallation needs to revert anything installation did,
so it is often more than mere removal of files.

HTH,
Martin