Manylinux
lastmod 2024-06-12created 2024-06-122 edits
Python wheels that work on any linux (almost)
Manylinux is a standardized way, developed by the Python community, to ensure compatibility across Linux distributions. It makes distributing and installing Python packages easier and helps the same package work across a variety of Linux environments.
Why it exists
The main reasons Manylinux exists are as follows:
- Solving compatibility problems
- Because each Linux distribution handles system libraries and package management differently, a Python package compiled on one distribution may not work properly on another. To solve this, Manylinux ensures that packages compiled in a specific environment are compatible across many Linux distributions.
- Simpler package distribution
- Testing and distributing a separate package for each of many Linux distributions is very complex and time-consuming for developers. With the Manylinux standard, a package compiled once can easily be distributed to many distributions, greatly improving efficiency.
- Community support
- The Manylinux standard is widely used on platforms such as the Python Package Index (PyPI), making it possible to provide stable, compatible packages to Linux users. PyPI is the central distribution platform for many Python packages, and Manylinux-supporting packages can be reliably installed and run on most Linux systems.
- Security and maintenance
- Because Manylinux lets even old Linux systems use the latest Python packages, it is easy to manage even when security patches or updates are needed. This helps users keep their systems stable and secure while using the latest packages.
- Lower development and distribution costs
- Many developers no longer need to maintain separate packages for each Linux distribution, saving development cost and time. It also reduces the complexity of package management and distribution, so developers can deliver better-quality software faster.
For these reasons, Manylinux greatly simplifies the development and distribution of Python packages in Linux environments and gives Linux users a better software experience.