Best pattern for making calls from Rust to a large Python package?

[l-monninger]

I have a relatively large Python library that I'd like to call from Rust.

From what I've read so far, it seems there might be two strategies:

1. Perform the multiple compilation myself.
2. Install the the package in my virtual environment and run it there.

I would prefer not to have to write the multiple compilation logic myself, but this makes me think I might have to.

Is there I'm missing? How should I do this?

[davidhewitt]

What's the entry point of your program? Do you want to ship a single executable, or are you fine to create a Python environment?

If you want a single executable, PyOxidizer has worked pretty well for many users.

If you are fine to create a Python environment, then I'd compile your Rust as a Python extension and use it as part of normal Python scripting.

Usually the best way to call into Python would be to import it via normal mechanisms:

#[pyfunction]
fn call_some_foo(py: Python<'_>) -> PyResult<()> {
    let foo = PyModule::import(py, "foo")?;
    // call a function in the foo package
    foo.getattr("some_function")?.call0()?;
    Ok(())
}

[l-monninger]

Thanks for this!