Current State of Python Packaging

Note: this is a draft description, to be updated...

Packages: Distribute, Easy_install, PIP...

Installation process on Mac OS 10.5.8 with Python 2.5 - Python 3.2

Default version of pip is installed into Python 2.5 path.
This is an installation process of pip 3 version.

PIP can be installed with:
- standalone packet from command line 
- easy_install which is installed with Distribute: Distribute ->  Easy_install  ->  PIP

Common pip installation process:

1. Download the last pip version from here: http://pypi.python.org/pypi/pip#downloads
2. Uncompress it
3. go to the uncompressed pip directory and execute: python3 setup.py install
4. Add your python to the $PATH (if necessary)

Install pip with Easy_installer

(from windows forum)

1. Download the latest easy_installer for Windows: (download the .exe at the bottom of http://pypi.python.org/pypi/setuptools ). Install it.
2. Install PIP from easy_installer ( http://guide.python-distribute.org/installation.html#distribute )

   Example: http://blog.troygrosfield.com/2010/12/18/installing-easy_install-and-pip-for-python

Pip 3 version installation with Distribute (Distribute is a fork of the Setuptools project)

1. Install Distribute http://pypi.python.org/pypi/distribute
2. easy_install pip
3. PIP usage: http://www.pip-installer.org/en/latest/index.html

Distribute documentation: 

http://packages.python.org/distribute

http://guide.python-distribute.org/installation.html#distribute

More:

http://myadventuresincoding.wordpress.com/2011/09/11/python-upgrading-python-with-easy_install-pip-and-virtualenv-on-a-mac

http://dubroy.com/blog/so-you-want-to-install-a-python-package

Review of packages:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3220404/why-use-pip-over-easy-install