Creating executable programs
An executable program in the Python programming language is a complete piece of software that any Python developer can run directly without manually opening the Python program source code and executing it with the Python interpreter.
In Python programming, Python programs are typically saved as files with the .py extension, and you can execute them immediately using Python. Furthermore, Python users can package these executable program files into standalone executable files, such as the .exe extension on Microsoft Windows.
A Python Program vs. an Executable Program in Python.
Generally, a basic user-created Python program looks something like this.
software.py
And you execute it with Python’s built-in Python interpreter.
python software.py
Remember, this requires the Python interpreter to be installed on your current computer.
A standalone executable file in the Python programming language looks like this.
software.exe
Python users can typically run this executable .exe file directly without installing the Python software environment separately.
Python Program Source Code
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Program Software Packaging Tool
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Create a Standalone Windows, Mac, or Linux Executable File
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Ready for User Testing
Why Create an Executable Program in Python?
The creation step of creating an executable program in Python is used when you want to distribute Python-based software or application copies for business or personal use, including to users who may not have Python software installed.
Advantages of Creating an Executable Program in Python.
- Easy Anywhere is a local and global application distribution solution.
- Python users don’t need to manually run any commands in Python.
- An executable program file allows you to hide implementation details of the original source files from casual users.
- You can package essential Python dependencies with a Python application.
- Creating an executable in Python is useful for desktop applications and system utilities.
Common Python executable file creation tools.
Python developers can use several built-in and third-party tools to package Python applications.
A widely used option in the Python programming language is the PyInstaller Python built-in feature.
PyInstaller
Python users can install it in Python like this.
pip install pyinstaller
Python users can verify their Python installation like this.
pyinstaller –version
Steps to create a basic new Python program.
First, Python users should create a new Python program file with the desired name.
testprogram.py
Now, manually create this code in the test software program file.
print(“Welcome to, Vcanhelpsu”)
input(“Press any key to terminate…”)
Python users should first test it normally like this.
python testprogram.py
If it works properly, you can package it.
Creating an executable file with the Python PyInstaller.
Open and run Terminal from the directory location containing testprogram.py on your computer.
pyinstaller –onefile testprogram.py
PyInstaller in Python understands and analyzes the existing program, and the Python interpreter groups the necessary program dependencies into an executable file package.
A typical project directory in Python might contain.
project/
│
├── testprogram.py
├── build/
├── dist/
├── testprogram.spec
└── …
Python-created executable files are typically placed in.
dist/
On Microsoft Windows OS, you’ll typically find.
dist/testprogram.exe
What does –onefile mean in Python PyInstaller?
Python command syntax.
pyinstaller –onefile testprogram.py
The –onefile option is used in Python. This helps PyInstaller in Python create a single executable file, rather than distributing your Python application as a directory containing multiple packaged files.
-onefile:
pyinstaller testprogram.py
Without the -onefile:
pyinstaller –onefile testprogram.py
Python PyInstaller normally creates an application directory, which stores one executable and several supporting files.
-onefile:
pyinstaller –onefile testprogram.py
With the command statement, the Python user gets a single Python executable file in the dist directory.
A Console and GUI Application in Python.
Programs in the Python programming language can be designed and developed as either console applications or GUI applications.
A Console Application in Python.
Creating a Python-based console application displays output in the terminal like this.
Python Console Application example.
print(“Employee Management Software”)
For such applications in the Python console, a simple PyInstaller command is sufficient.
pyinstaller –onefile empsystem.py
Python GUI application.
Libraries like Tkinter in the Python programming language provide support for a graphical interface environment, so Python users may not want to display a console window.
Python users can use it like this.
pyinstaller –onefile –windowed empsystem.py
The –windowed option in Python is commonly used when designing and developing GUI applications.
Adding an application icon in Python.
Python users can assign a graphical icon to an executable file in the Python programming language.
For example.
pyinstaller –onefile –icon=empsystem.ico empsystem.py
Here in this program explanation.
- –onefile This creates an executable file in Python.
- –icon=empsystem.ico This helps add an application icon in Python.
- This is a Python program named empsystem.py.
Here in Python, on Microsoft Windows, the icon file is typically an .ico file.
Creating an executable for a GUI application in Python.
The Tkinter tools method in Python can be used to develop a GUI program application design.
import tkinter as tk
window = tk.Tk()
window.title(“test software”)
label = tk.Label(window, text=”Welcome to, Vcanhelpsu”)
label.pack()
window.mainloop()
Python users should save it as follows.
empsystem.py
Test it in Python like this.
python empsystem.py
Then you package it in Python.
pyinstaller –onefile –windowed empsystem.py
The executable created in this process can be found in the dist directory.
Using sys.executable in Python.
Python users sometimes need to find the location of an application’s executable or the Python interpreter.
Python provides one for you.
import sys
print(sys.executable)
This can be used when working with Python-based packaged applications, subprocesses, or environment-specific paths.
Including Python executable extra files.
Designing and developing executable application files in Python may sometimes require these files.
config.json
images/
data/
templates/
When packaging a Python executable file, these files may need to be included in a clear order.
For example.
PyInstaller in Python provides support for adding data files by applying options like –add-data.
The syntax may vary depending on the operating system installed on your computer, so packaging configurations in Python should be tested on the target platform.
Important in Python.Test the executable file.
After creating an executable file in the Python programming language, it only works because your packaging was successful.
This is how you test it in Python.
Build a Python program application
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Run an executable file
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Test all its features
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Check the files/resources in the executable
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If there are problems, fix them first
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Now rebuild your application software
In this testing phase, check.
- Does the executable file application you developed start?
- Do all the application function buttons work properly?
- Have all the software application files loaded correctly?
- Does the database connection in your software application work properly?
- Are the images used in it displaying?
- Does this executable file contain the necessary libraries?
- Does it work exactly on the dedicated target computer?
Concepts related to computer hardware and OS platforms.
In Python programming, design and development executable files are generally platform-specific.
For example.
- Windows → .exe is a Microsoft Windows operating system-supported executable file.
- Linux → .exe is a Linux operating system-supported executable file.
- macOS → application/binary is an operating system-supported executable file.
Executables developed for Microsoft Windows OS should not normally be expected to run or install directly on Linux or macOS operating systems.
If a Python user needs Python executable software applications for multiple operating systems, they typically design, develop, and test a custom application for each target platform.
Executable Programs and Virtual Environments in Python It is best practice to develop Python applications within a virtual environment.
For example.
python -m venv .venv
Activate the Python environment and install the required packages.
pip install pyinstaller
Then create an executable file in Python.
pyinstaller –onefile empsystem.py
This helps keep the application’s dependencies separate from other Python projects.
The process of creating an executable file in Python programming.
A complete executable file process in Python can be described as follows.
First, write a Python program.
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Now test this Python program.
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Create a virtual environment.
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Install the required Python libraries.
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Install PyInstaller in Python.
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Package the executable program.
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Test the final executable file.
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Distribute your software program to users.
Advantages of designing an executable file in Python.
- Easy distribution – Python users can develop an executable file instead of the program source code, along with instructions for installing Python and its dependencies.
- Dependency packaging – Python packaging tools can include the Python interpreter and several necessary dependencies.
- Easy for desktop applications – Applications can be developed and distributed as Python GUI executables, which can also be launched directly by Python users.
- Professional Deployment – Packaging Python-based development executable files can make it easier for non-programmers to distribute small Python utilities.
Limitations of the Python executable file.
Developing executable files in the Python programming language does not make Python a native compiled language like popular languages like C or C++.
Python programming also has some limitations.
- Executable files developed in Python can be large or heavy in size.
- Packaging executable files developed in Python may require additional hardware configuration.
- Executable files developed in Python generally require platform-specific application builds.
- Executable files developed in Python may require special handling of some dynamically loaded program resources or libraries.
- Python program packaging does not guarantee that applications run in the proper order on every computer.
A complete example in Python.
Let’s assume we have the following example.
def main():
name = input(“Enter employee detail – “)
print(f”Hi, {Emp_name}!”)
if __name__ == “__main__”:
main()
You can save it like this in Python.
empdetail.py
Test it in Python.
python empdetail.py
Install it in Python then use PyInstaller.
pip install pyinstaller
Create an executable Python file.
pyinstaller –onefile empdetail.py
An executable in Python will typically be created under.
dist/
On Windows operating systems, it will typically display like this.
dist/empdetail.exe
Conclusion of Creating executable programs.
Creating an executable program in Python programming means packaging a Python application so that it can be more easily distributed and launched among multiple users, eliminating the need for most users to install Python separately.
A commonly used tool in Python is the PyInstaller executable program.
The basic Python commands are.
pyinstaller –onefile empsystem.py
For developing executable Python GUI applications.
pyinstaller –onefile –windowed empsystem.py
This is the main workflow for creating executable files in Python.
Write → Test → Package → Test Executable → Distribute
This makes Python programming the perfect choice not only for scripts and web applications, but also for distributable desktop utilities and GUI applications.
