How to use conda-build to build a Python package with C/C++ dependencies
Image credit: Mahe Iram Khan
conda-build is an application that automates the process of building and distributing Python packages. It is a powerful tool that has the added advantage of handling dependencies that require C/C++ or other languages. This is particularly useful for scientific computing, where many Python packages have complex dependencies and require specialized libraries and tools.
A recipe outlines the steps needed to build a package from source code. We can create this "recipe" using grayskull
. A recipe includes all the necessary information, from downloading and installing dependencies to compiling the source code and creating the final package. Conda-build then renders the recipe to build the package. A recipe typically includes:
- A script that contains metadata.
- The script that installs the files for the package on macOS and Linux.
- The build script that installs the files for the package on Windows.
- Any additional setup files, depending on the complexity of the package.
In this article, we will guide you through the process of building your Python package with conda-build! conda-build can help us handle even the most complex dependencies for our package, making the process smoother and more efficient. Let's get ready to build an amazing Python package!