How to run Python egg files directly without installing them?

Question

Is it possible to run Python egg files directly as you can run jar files with Java?

For example, with Java you might dos something like:

$ java -jar jar-file

Answer 1

A python egg is a "a single-file importable distribution format". Which is typically a python package.

You can import the package in the egg as long as you know it's name and it's in your path.

You can execute a package using the "-m" option and the package name.

However, python packages generally do not do anything when executed, and you may get an error. The -c option can be used to run code. (See http://docs.python.org/using/cmdline.html for details on command line options)

> python -m sphinx
sphinx is a package and cannot be directly executed


> python -c "import <package in an egg>; <function>();"



> python -c "import sphinx; print sphinx.package_dir"
C:\Python26\lib\site-packages\sphinx-0.6.1-py2.6.egg\sphinx

Answer 2

As of Python 2.6, you can use python some.egg and it will be executed if it includes a module named __main__.

For earlier versions of Python, you can use PYTHONPATH=some.egg python -m some module, and somemodule from the egg will be run as the main module. (Note: if you're on Windows, you'd need to do a separate SET PYTHONPATH=some.egg.)

Answer 3

For example, if you want to import the suds module which is available as .egg file:

egg_path='/home/shahid/suds_2.4.egg'

sys.path.append(egg_path)

import suds
#... rest of code

Answer 4

Python Egg file direct execution steps

Suppose if you have egg file and driver file to run through below command.

PYTHONPATH=eggfilename.egg python driverfile.py

above command for without install egg file with python code.