Change folder structure in Python cx_Freeze project

Question

I made a Python application, and I wanted to construct exe file to simplify sharing among Windows users. I used:

Python 3.6.1
cx_Freeze module 5.0.2

I got an exe file, but the final structure made me cry:

executable file
zip archive with Python 3.6
3 dlls (python, sqlite, vcruntime)
21 folders
10 pyd files

In my opinion, it is not convinient for users and I would like to move folders and pyd files into separate folder or archive (it would be better). Does anybody know to do it? Current build.py:

from cx_Freeze import setup, Executable

setup(
    name = 'myapp',
    version = '0.1',
    executables = [Executable(
        script='__main__.py',
        targetName='myapp.exe',
        icon='myapp.ico'
    )]
)

What options should I add to my setup function? Is it possible to do in current versions of Python and cx_Freeze? Or should I patch cx_Freeze like this?

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 28 '17 at 15:31

My problem has been almost solved in the version 5.1. There were only 5 items in the build directory:

lib folder
exe file
3 dlls (python36, sqlite, vcruntime)

It was ok for me, but exe file did not work. There was an error ModuleNotFoundError: no module named 'codecs'.

The answer has been found here. There is an error in the current version (5.1 at the moment), but the patch has been already done. Unfortunately, new version (5.1.1) is not in the PyPI.

Nevertheless solution is pretty simple: to build cx_Freeze from the sources. It is mentioned here. (Visual Studio is needed, I used 2013 one). Or you can just wait for a while, I hope new version will be in the PyPI soon.

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 31 '18 at 13:38

cx_Freeze 5.1.1 is in the PyPI in the meantime, see https://pypi.org/project/cx_Freeze/#history ; cx_Freeze 6.0b1 is there as well as pre-release.

To simplify sharing among Windows users, you can let cx_Freeze build a simple installer by running the setup script as:

python build.py bdist_msi

See http://cx-freeze.readthedocs.io/en/latest/distutils.html#distutils-setup-script

Alternatively, in order to make a more customizable installer, you can use script-based tools such as NSIS (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System) and run the installer-generating script after the cx_Freeze setup script.

Change folder structure in Python cx_Freeze project

2 Answers2