Distributing applications

[André Søreng]

Phillip Mills wrote:
> I've learned enough of the Python language to be mildly dangerous and 
> have used it in a few personal projects.  All my development of 
> commercial (or production) products over the past dozen years have been 
> done with C++ or Java.
> 
> For a program I'm planning -- to begin during the summer -- having an 
> interpreter as part of the application would be very desirable to allow 
> sophisticated users to provide their own extensions.  Java would be 
> do-able, but....
> 
> My problems are:
>   - I'd like the process of installing the application to be one step; 
> no "first download a Python interpreter then a GUI library" kind of 
> thing.

For creating a self-contained installation/distribution under Windows,
use py2exe:

http://starship.python.net/crew/theller/py2exe/

If you want to create a nice Windows installer for your module(s):

http://www.python.org/doc/current/dist/postinstallation-script.html


>   - I also need the core part of the application to be reasonably 
> protected.  I'm not looking to defeat hackers, but something equivalent 
> to the way Java's class files stored in jars stay where they're supposed 
> to be and aren't immediately readable.
> 
Hmm, not sure about that one. You mean that those users who write 
extensions should not be able to modify the core code you wrote? Are you
talking about a restricted execution environment for untrusted code?
I'd rather make it so to only accept code which is signed by a trusted 
party or something like that.

> I've looked at various web sites for this topic, but most I've found are 
> just arguments for using the Python language.  OK, I'll pretend I'm 
> convinced...now any comments or references on the mechanics of creating 
> a self-contained distribution?
>