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Date: Fri, 1 Apr 2011 20:37:35 +0200
From: Matthias-Christian Ott <ott@mirix.org>
To: python-list@python.org
Subject: Location of data files
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Xref: x330-a1.tempe.blueboxinc.net comp.lang.python:2380

Hi,

I want to include data files with a python package. With distutils it
seems common to specifiy these files in the data_files argument with a
non-portable location (e.g. data_files=[('share/example', 'icon.png')]).
Another approach is to include the file in the Python module of the
package (e.g. example/data) and specify the submodule in package_data
argument and load them via pkgutil or pkg_ressources. This method seems
portable, but doesn't allow customisation and doesn't conform to the
FHS.

What is the recommended way to allow easy platform-specific packaging
(e.g. data files are installed to /usr/share when requested), portability and
customisation (i.e. data files can be replaced by the user or
alternative locations can be specified)?

Regards,
Matthias-Christian