[IPython-user] Got bdist_wininst working for IPython ...

[Viktor Ransmayr]

Hi Fernando,

You wrote:

> Viktor Ransmayr wrote:
>
>> No problem. I'm happy if I can contribute. - Now about this next 
>> version.
>> I don't know how much time you spent looking at my modifications yet.
>> However I still have a few questions about the further proceeding:
>>
>> 1) There is no need to install pywin32 for the installation process 
>> on window.
>>     - At least not for bdist_wininst. - Should anything be checked 
>> during the
>>     import or do you think a simple message, stating that pywin32, 
>> ctypes
>>    and readline are recommended is sufficient ?
>
>
> I'd say printing a user message would be a very good idea.  ipython 
> will _work_ without this stuff, but it will lack some of its nicest 
> functionality (readline and coloring).  So a prominent message in this 
> direction would certainly help.  A simple
>
> try:
>   import ctypes
> except ImportError:
>   print 'get ctypes from http://....'
>
> and similar for readline would be very good to have.  No need to 
> bother users who already have them with this, though.
>
OK. - I'll add such a check to my next version of the vr_* version of 
the scripts.

>> 2) I'm not sure what should be done in the case of cmd=bdist ? - What 
>> I did
>>     not like about the way "IPython-0.6.6.zip" worked, was the fact 
>> that it did
>>     install files outside of ..\Lib\site-packages\IPython\ without 
>> giving me any
>>     means to deinstall. (Other than saving the complete output of the 
>> install-
>>     cmd into a log-file and removing everything by hand :-)
>>
>>     Do you have an idea/ a plan or do you think that simply removing the
>>     usage of the post-installation script completely from the 
>> zip-archive is
>>     sufficient and/or acceptable ?
>
>
> Mmh, I think I'm a bit confused here.  I guess our ultimate goal is 
> the following:
>
> 1.  An ipython_setup.exe real windows installer is available, which 
> can both install AND uninstall ipython by the usual windows 
> mechanisms, leaving no junk behind it after uninstallation.
>
> 2.  The ability for windows users, if necessary, to run by hand in a 
> terminal 'python setup.py install' and have the thing work as well.   
> I think it's acceptable in this scenario to lose uninstallation 
> capabilities, since they don't really exist with a manual install 
> under unix either.  Under unix, if you want uninstall capabilities, 
> you need to use a package manager (rpm, apt, fink), so the same 
> applies for windows (the .exe installer playing the role of a package 
> manager).
>
> My understanding is that we already have #1 with your work.  It's just 
> a matter of keeping #2 as an option, for those who download the 
> sources.  I'm even willing to stop distributing .zips once the .exe 
> installer becomes available: a source install for windows users will 
> be at that point a much more rare occurrence, and I expect it to be 
> done only by very technically minded users.  Since winzip can handle 
> .tar.gz files just fine, they can always grab that.
>
> This means that it's OK to remove the hacks I had to inject an 
> 'install' command into sys.argv in setup.py for windows users.   The 
> question I have is, what does setup.py see when it is called by the 
> .exe installer?  What does sys.argv look like in that scenario?  We 
> basically need some way of distinguishing if it's being called by the 
> .exe installer, who will in turn execute the post_install script 
> itself, or by a user at a command line, case in which we need to run 
> it ourselves.  Is this possible?

I'll work on that question tonight. - I'll keep you informed.

BTW, sorry for the late replay. My ISP had some delivery-troubles
w/ emails since monday morning.

Regards,

    Viktor