[Python-Dev] Status of packaging in 3.3

[Stephen J. Turnbull]

Paul Moore writes:

 > End users should not need packaging tools on their machines.

I think this desideratum is close to obsolete these days, with webapps
in "the cloud" downloading resources (including, but not limited to,
code) on an as-needed basis.

If you're *not* obtaining resources as-needed, but instead installing
an everything-you-could-ever-need SUMO, I don't see the problem with
including packaging tools as well.

Not to mention that "end user" isn't a permanent property of a person,
but rather a role that they can change at will and sometimes may be
forced to.

What is desirable is that such tools be kept in the back of a closet
where people currently in the "end user" role don't need to see them
at all, but developers can get them immediately when needed.