PyInstaller is a popular open-source Python tool used to package Python applications into standalone executable files. It allows users to run your Python program without installing Python or any of its library dependencies on their computer. How PyInstaller Works
When you run PyInstaller against a script, it performs the following steps:
Analysis: It reads your Python script and analyzes the code to discover every module, library, and dependency your project needs to execute.
Collection: It gathers copies of all those identified files—including the active Python interpreter itself.
Bundling: It packages everything into a target output folder or a single file.
Note: PyInstaller is not a cross-compiler. To create a Windows executable (.exe), you must run PyInstaller on Windows; to make a macOS app, you must run it on macOS, and so on. Core Output Modes
You can configure how PyInstaller bundles your application based on how you want to distribute it: One-Folder Mode (–onedir): This is the default mode.
It creates a single directory containing an executable file alongside all required .dll, .so, or .dylib libraries.
Pros: Highly useful for debugging and launches faster. You can update just the executable file later if your core dependencies do not change. One-File Mode (–onefile):
It packs the entire application into a single executable file (e.g., myscript.exe). Pros: Much cleaner for end-users to manage and download.
Cons: Slightly slower to boot up because the embedded files must unpack into a temporary directory every time the application is opened. Basic Usage What PyInstaller Does and How It Does It
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