MANIFEST.in, package_data, and data_files clarification?

Question:

I am trying to create a Python package, and I have a directory structure like this:

mypkg/
├── __init__.py
├── module1
│   ├── x.py
│   ├── y.py
│   └── z.txt
└── module2
    ├── a.py
    └── b.py

Then I added all the files in MANIFEST.in and when I check the created archive, it had all the files.

When I do python setup.py install in the dist-packages/mypkg/module1. I see only the Python files and not z.txt.

I have z.txt in both MANIFEST.in and setup.py:

setup (
    packages = [
        'mypkg',
        'mypkg.module1',
        'mypkg.module2',
    ],
    package_data = {
        'mypkg': ['module1/z.txt']
    },
    include_package_data = True, 
    ...
)

I tried adding the file as data_files as well but that created a directory in /usr/local. I want to keep it inside the source code directory as the code uses that data.

I have read the posts listed below but I keep getting confused about what is the right way to keep z.txt in the right location after setup.py install.

Asked By: Sourabh

||

Answers:

Try using setuptools instead of distutils.

Answered By: CJH

Update: It got fixed when I started using setuptools instead of distutils.core. I think it was some problem with distutils not agreeing with manifest while setuptools worked without any changes in the code. I recommend using setuptools in the future. Using the link here : setup tools- developers guide

Answered By: Sourabh
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