flit

Flit is a simple way to distribute Python packages. It is a lightweight alternative to tools like setuptools and pip for creating and publishing Python packages. Flit aims to make the process of packaging and distributing Python code easier and more streamlined.

Pros

• Simple and Intuitive: Flit has a straightforward and user-friendly interface, making it easy for developers to create and publish Python packages.
• Dependency Management: Flit automatically handles dependency management, ensuring that all required packages are installed when a user installs your package.
• No Build Step: Flit eliminates the need for a separate build step, as it generates the necessary distribution files directly from your source code.
• Reproducible Builds: Flit ensures that your package can be reliably built and installed on different systems, promoting reproducibility.

Cons

• Limited Ecosystem: Flit is a relatively new tool, and it may not have the same level of community support and integration as more established packaging tools like setuptools.
• Lack of Advanced Features: Flit is designed to be a lightweight and simple tool, which means it may not offer the same level of customization and advanced features as other packaging tools.
• Compatibility Concerns: While Flit aims to be compatible with existing packaging tools, there may be some compatibility issues or limitations when working with certain projects or environments.
• Learning Curve: Although Flit is relatively simple to use, developers who are accustomed to other packaging tools may need to invest some time in learning the Flit workflow.

Code Examples

Flit is a packaging tool, so it does not provide any code examples for its own functionality. However, you can use Flit to package and distribute your own Python code. Here's an example of how you might use Flit to create a simple Python package:

# my_package/my_module.py
def greet(name):
    return f"Hello, {name}!"

# my_package/__init__.py
from .my_module import greet

# pyproject.toml
[build-system]
requires = ["flit_core >=3.2,<4"]
build-backend = "flit_core.buildapi"

[project]
name = "my-package"
version = "0.1.0"
description = "A simple Python package"
authors = [
    {name = "Your Name", email = "your.email@example.com"},
]
license = {file = "LICENSE"}
classifiers = [
    "Programming Language :: Python :: 3",
    "License :: OSI Approved :: MIT License",
    "Operating System :: OS Independent",
]
dependencies = [
    "requests>=2.25.1",
]
requires-python = ">=3.7"

Getting Started

To get started with Flit, follow these steps:

1. Install Flit:

   pip install flit
   

2. Create a pyproject.toml file in the root directory of your Python package, which will contain the package metadata and build configuration. Here's an example:

   [build-system]
   requires = ["flit_core >=3.2,<4"]
   build-backend = "flit_core.buildapi"
   
   [project]
   name = "my-package"
   version = "0.1.0"
   description = "A simple Python package"
   authors = [
       {name = "Your Name", email = "your.email@example.com"},
   ]
   license = {file = "LICENSE"}
   classifiers = [
       "Programming Language :: Python :: 3",
       "License :: OSI Approved :: MIT License",
       "Operating System :: OS Independent",
   ]
   dependencies = [
       "requests>=2.25.1",
   ]
   requires-python = ">=3.7"
   

3. Create your Python module(s) in the appropriate directory (e.g., my_package/my_module.py).

4. To build and install your package locally, run:

   flit install --symlink
   

   The --symlink option creates a symbolic link to your