cx_Freeze is an open source library for packaging Python scripts into standalone executables. It can package a Python program and its dependencies (including standard libraries and third-party libraries) into a stand-alone executable file or directory to run in an environment without a Python interpreter.
Here are some of the main features and functions of cx_Freeze:
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Cross-platform support: cx_Freeze can be used on different operating systems, including Windows, Mac and Linux.
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Packaging as an executable: With cx_Freeze, you can package a Python script as an executable, so that you can run the file directly on the target machine without prior installation of Python.
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Automatically handle dependencies: cx_Freeze can automatically detect and package the modules and libraries that Python scripts depend on, including standard libraries and third-party libraries. It will package these dependencies together into the executable file to ensure the normal operation of the program on the target machine.
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Support multiple output formats: cx_Freeze can generate multiple output formats, including executable files, directories, ZIP archives, etc., to suit different deployment needs.
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Flexible configuration: You can specify packaging options and parameters, such as program name, version number, icon, dependencies, etc., by creating a configuration file named "setup.py".
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Supports GUI and command line applications: cx_Freeze can package GUI applications and command line applications to meet different types of needs.
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Good compatibility: cx_Freeze is compatible with many common Python libraries and frameworks, including Tkinter, PyQt, Django, etc.
Packaging a Python program using cx_Freeze typically requires the following steps:
- Create a configuration file named "setup.py" and specify packaging options and parameters.