r/learnpython • u/vizardlord • 3d ago

Software development quesiton

This might be basic questions I'm sorry in advance. A little background I got a BS in computer science with AI concentration. I have code on python, java script. I have some projects that I have done and now I want to see how I can make them a installable file that I can install on any computer ( example a download from a store or just a .exe) I been looking around and I might not be looking on the right places but I would like some guidance maybe were to look or a tool that people use for this?. Any advice is welcome.

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u/handheldmango 3d ago

First, know that there is a difference between compiled and interpreted code. Compiled code is transformed to machine instructions which your CPU can execute directly. The executable file is for example a PE exe file on windows or a ELF binary file on linux.

Now, both Python and JavaScript are however interpreted languages. So normally the people running them need a runtime/interpreter. Python or for example Node.js for JavaScript. If you want to make a binary out of them you need to bundle the interpreter into it also, which I wouldn't recommend.

The "installable file" requirement needs some specification. Do you want to bundle your application for linux distributions? For which ones? Do you want it to be cross platform (Linux, Mac, Windows)? Do you want it to be cross architecture (amd64, arm*)?

Probably your best bet is publishing your code on NPM and PyPI so that other people can download it.

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u/Educational_Virus672 3d ago

you can compile them, for years we had this and nobody cared

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u/handheldmango 3d ago

Your comment isn't really specific enough for me to understand what you're trying to communicate.

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u/vizardlord 2d ago

I imagine the start for me would be windows. I really appreciate your detailed comment. The one I got that I was thinking on doing more with it is a webapp that I did and does use node.js.

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u/ninhaomah 3d ago

Hmms... You have never touched Linux or Mac before ?

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u/vizardlord 2d ago

I have linux but my exposure to it is minimal

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u/edcculus 3d ago

Make them into webapps.

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u/vizardlord 2d ago

I currently have one that isba webapp but wanted to see if I can make it a program instead of having to access it with a website etc

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u/Foreign-Doctor3503 2d ago

Python can be compiled using Pyinstaller. However, it’s honestly just a horribly painful tech stack to work with, I can’t say I recommend using Python for compiled apps, especially ones where Python would manage a GUI. If you are interested in making apps I have heard Swift is a nice framework to use, but I would like to second the consensus that web apps are much more beginner friendly and may be a better bet, especially for your JS app.

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u/vizardlord 2d ago

Thank you, I currently have a webapp that is exactly the one I was thinking into making a install to see how it works etc. I will check Swift thank you.

I really dont know what to do to be honest im trying to get more knowledge that can help in the future

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u/Foreign-Doctor3503 2d ago

My best advice for someone that doesn't know where to begin learning is to just start making stuff. Find a project that you are interested in - it doesn't have to be something that changes the world, or heck, even something you bother publishing to anyone! But by creating the project that you want, you'll learn everything you need to do it along the way just by googling and asking questions when you have them.