How to use Python to determine whether the application is in a packaged state

In usePyInstallerWhen packaging Python applications, sometimes you need to determine whether the program is in the "packaged state" in the code (that is, it is running a packaged executable file instead of the original Python script). This is usually used to process resource paths or to execute different logic. The following will introduce several methods to determine whether it is in packaged state and provide sample code.

Method 1: Check the sys._MEIPASS property

PyInstallerAfter packaging, a temporary directory will be created and the resources will be extracted into this directory. This directory can be passedsys._MEIPASSVisit. If this property exists, the program is in packaged state.

Sample code

import sys
import os
 
def is_bundled():
    """Judge whether it is in packaged state"""
    return hasattr(sys, '_MEIPASS')
 
def resource_path(relative_path):
    """Get the absolute path to the resource file"""
    if is_bundled():
        # In packaged state, use temporary directories        return (sys._MEIPASS, relative_path)
    # Unpacked status, use the current directory    return (("."), relative_path)
 
if __name__ == "__main__":
    if is_bundled():
        print("The program is packaged and run")
    else:
        print("The program runs in Python scripts")
 
    # Test resource path    file_path = resource_path("assets/")
    print(f"Resource path: {file_path}")

illustrate

• sys._MEIPASSyesPyInstallerProperties added dynamically at runtime only exist in packaged executable files.
• When not packed,hasattr(sys, '_MEIPASS')returnFalse。

Method 2: Check the properties

PyInstaller(and other packaging tools such ascx_Freeze) Will be set after packagingAttributes. If this property exists and isTrue, indicating that the program has been packaged.

Sample code

import sys
 
def is_bundled():
    """Judge whether it is in packaged state"""
    return getattr(sys, 'frozen', False)
 
if __name__ == "__main__":
    if is_bundled():
        print("The program is packaged and run")
    else:
        print("The program runs in Python scripts")

illustrate

• It is a more general logo, not only suitable forPyInstaller, also suitable for other freezing tools.
• usegetattrIt can avoid errors caused by accessing non-existent properties when unpacked.

Method 3: Integration

Pass the inspectionThe value of   can determine whether the program is running as an independent executable file.

Sample code

import sys
import os
 
def is_bundled():
    """Judge whether it is in packaged state"""
    if hasattr(sys, '_MEIPASS'):
        return True
    # Check whether to point to a standalone executable file    return () not in ('python', 'python3', '', '')
 
if __name__ == "__main__":
    print(f": {}")
    if is_bundled():
        print("The program is packaged and run")
    else:
        print("The program runs in Python scripts")

illustrate

• When not packed,Usually the path to the Python interpreter (such as/usr/bin/python3）。
• After packing,is the path to the executable file (such asdist/）。

Things to note

._MEIPASS vs ：

• sys._MEIPASSyesPyInstallerUnique, more accurate.
• More general, but may behave differently in other packaging tools.

2. Resource path processing：

Always useresource_pathFunctions process resource paths to ensure that files can be accessed correctly in both packaged and unpacked states.

3. Debugging：

Add to--debug allRun the packaged program parameters and view the detailed log:

dist/main --debug all

Select a suggestion

• If only usePyInstaller, Recommended method 1 (sys._MEIPASS）。
• If you need to be compatible with multiple packaging tools, recommend method 2 (）。
• If more robust testing is required, combine Method 1 and Method 3.

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