Build Python into a Binary File

If you want to build your Wafu CMS project into a binary file, it’s important to structure the project in a way that’s clean, maintainable, and compatible with tools like PyInstaller. Here’s a recommended project structure for your binary-focused Python project:

1. Project Structure

wafu_cms/
├── wafu_cms/               # Main package directory
│   ├── __init__.py         # Marks the directory as a Python package
│   ├── cli.py              # CLI entry point for your app
│   ├── core.py             # Core logic and functionality
│   ├── utils.py            # Helper functions (optional)
│   └── data/               # Static resources (e.g., templates, config files)
│       └── sample.txt      # Example of a resource file
├── tests/                  # Test cases for your app
│   ├── test_core.py        # Tests for core logic
│   └── test_cli.py         # Tests for CLI functionality
├── dist/                   # Output directory for binaries (created by PyInstaller)
├── build/                  # Temporary build files (created by PyInstaller)
├── wafu_cms.spec           # PyInstaller spec file (auto-generated)
├── setup.py                # Optional: For packaging as a Python package
├── requirements.txt        # Dependencies for your project
├── README.md               # Project description
└── LICENSE                 # License file

2. Explanation of Each Component

wafu_cms/ (Main Package)

This is your app’s main directory where all logic is implemented.

• cli.py: Contains the CLI entry point. For example:

  import argparse
  from wafu_cms.core import process_articles
  
  def main():
      parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Wafu CMS: A Japanese content manager.")
      parser.add_argument("--source", help="Source directory of articles", required=True)
      parser.add_argument("--output", help="Output directory for formatted content", required=True)
      args = parser.parse_args()
  
      process_articles(args.source, args.output)
  
  if __name__ == "__main__":
      main()
  

• core.py: Implements the main logic of your app (e.g., formatting articles, handling data).

  def process_articles(source_dir, output_dir):
      print(f"Processing articles from {source_dir} to {output_dir}...")
      # Your logic here
  

• data/: Stores static resources (e.g., templates, configurations) that your app might use.

tests/

Contains unit tests for your project, ensuring reliability during development. Use tools like pytest to write and run your tests.

3. Writing a PyInstaller-Compatible Script

The entry point for your binary is the cli.py file, and PyInstaller needs this script as input. The main() function in cli.py will serve as the app’s starting point.

Example Command for PyInstaller:

pyinstaller --onefile --name wafu wafu_cms/cli.py

4. Including Static Resources in the Binary

If your app requires static files (e.g., templates, configurations), you must explicitly include them when building the binary.

Update cli.py or core.py to Use pkg_resources

Use pkg_resources to access files within your package:

import pkg_resources

def get_sample_data():
    data_path = pkg_resources.resource_filename("wafu_cms", "data/sample.txt")
    with open(data_path, "r") as f:
        return f.read()

Pass Static Files to PyInstaller

Add --add-data when running PyInstaller:

pyinstaller --onefile --name wafu --add-data "wafu_cms/data:./data" wafu_cms/cli.py

5. Output Binaries

• The binary will be placed in the dist/ directory (e.g., dist/wafu).
• Move the binary to a directory in your $PATH for global usage:

  mv dist/wafu /usr/local/bin
  

6. Project Dependencies

List dependencies in requirements.txt so they can be easily installed during development:

argparse
pkg_resources

Install them locally for development:

python3 -m pip install -r requirements.txt

7. Example Directory After Build

After building with PyInstaller, your project might look like this:

wafu_cms/
├── dist/                   # Contains the binary file (`wafu`)
│   └── wafu
├── build/                  # Temporary build files (can be ignored)
├── wafu_cms/               # Main package directory
│   ├── __init__.py
│   ├── cli.py
│   ├── core.py
│   ├── utils.py
│   └── data/
│       └── sample.txt
├── wafu_cms.spec           # PyInstaller spec file
├── setup.py
├── requirements.txt
├── README.md
└── LICENSE

This structure is clean, modular, and optimized for maintainability and binary builds.