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Description
Background
Currently, for offline installation of a Python version using pymanager, the recommended workflow is as follows:
- Use the
--downloadoption to download the ZIP package into a directory. - Generate an
index.jsonfile in that directory. - When installing, use the
--sourceoption to specify the correspondingindex.json.
While this method works, it introduces unnecessary steps, especially since the ZIP package or directory often contains all the information needed for installation.
Proposed Improvement
Why can't we install a Python version directly from a ZIP package or directory, without requiring an index.json?
For modern Python packages generated from PC/layout (with the --include-install-json parameter enabled) they already have __install__.json, and the resulting ZIP or directory already includes everything necessary for installation. In these cases, pymanager should be able to install directly from the package or directory.
Use Case
For example, when I compiled a CPython version by myself and packaged it using PC/layout, the output result would either be a directory or a ZIP file package. To install using pymanager, I had to manually create an index.json file, which was neither convenient nor beneficial for users.
Another typical scenario is when I use the --download command to fetch a Python package ZIP file on a device with internet access, and then copy that ZIP file to a target device that cannot connect to the internet.
On the target device, the local directory only contains this specific ZIP file package. Even if there are multiple packages, they are all stored in a unified naming format of pythoncore-3.xx-(32|64)-3.xx.xx. In this case, the user does not care about the different Python versions in the directory, and does not need to use index.json for indexing or matching version tag from command-line parameters. The intention is clear: I only want to install the contents of this ZIP file package
Requiring the use of index.json in such a case introduces unnecessary complexity and steps for a straightforward, single-package installation. Supporting direct installation from the ZIP package would greatly improve the user experience, especially for offline and isolated environments.
Suggestion
Please consider supporting direct installation from a ZIP package or directory, especially when it already contains all required installation files (including __install__.json). This will simplify the workflow for offline installations and make it easier for users compiling their own Python builds.