I'm working on a Python project that uses pyproject.toml, which is a PEP517 feature for project configuration. I know that pyproject.toml often works with setuptools, which typically relies on a setup.py file. My question is about how to pass command line arguments—like --no-cuda—to setup.py when my project is set up this way. I'm looking for the best way to handle these arguments during the build process. Any insights on this would be appreciated!
5 Answers
Could you clarify what specifically you're trying to accomplish? Generally speaking, if you're using pyproject.toml, you might not even need to call setup.py directly, since it’s designed to streamline the build process. Plus, passing arguments to setup.py at install time could be problematic, as you can't easily access them using standard package managers.
Are you specifically looking to pass arguments to setup.py, or are you wanting to handle command line arguments for your application's entry point when it runs? That might change your approach a bit.
Instead of relying on setup.py, consider making CUDA support an optional dependency. You can do this by setting it up in your pyproject.toml so users can install it like this: `pip install foo[cuda]`. This keeps things clean and aligns with Python's packaging guidelines! Check out the official documentation for more on optional dependencies.
Could you instead utilize a config.yaml file or something similar? Users can edit the YAML file to set parameters like CUDA support, and your scripts can read those values when they run. YAML is great for config settings, and you can use PyYAML to make it super easy to load! Here’s a quick example of how that could look in Python.
Honestly, I'd say to move away from setup.py altogether. It feels outdated with so many better options out there. Have you looked into using the UV build system instead? It might be a better fit for modern Python projects.
That’s a great point! It definitely makes it easier for users to choose what they need without complicating the build process.