Compile Python Scripts to Executable: Step-by-Step Guide

If you want to distribute your Python scripts without requiring users to install Python on their machines, you can compile them into executable files. This guide will walk you through the steps of compiling Python scripts into executables.

Step 1: Install pyinstaller

The first step is to install pyinstaller, which is a package that can bundle Python scripts into standalone executables. You can install pyinstaller using pip:

> pip install pyinstaller

Step 2: Create a Python script

Next, create a Python script that you want to compile into an executable. For example, let's create a simple script that prints "Hello, world!" to the console:

print("Hello, world!")

Step 3: Compile the script

To compile the script into an executable, use pyinstaller's command-line interface (CLI). Navigate to the directory where your script is located and run the following command:

> pyinstaller script.py

This will create a "dist" directory containing the compiled executable. By default, pyinstaller creates a single executable file that includes all of the necessary dependencies. You can also specify additional options to customize the build process, such as including data files or creating a console window.

Step 4: Test the executable

Finally, test the executable to ensure that it works as expected. Double-click the executable to run it, and verify that "Hello, world!" is printed to the console.

Congratulations! You have successfully compiled a Python script into an executable using pyinstaller.