python library with bash scripts. install into a venv. make the scripts available in PATH. make the scripts be referenced using <FOLDER>/<SCRIPT> format from the PATH. Is this possible?

Creating a Python library that includes Bash scripts, installing it within a virtual environment (venv), and ensuring that the scripts are accessible in a specific format from the system's PATH is indeed possible. This guide will break down the steps needed to achieve this, covering everything from environment setup to script referencing.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Virtual Environment

To begin, you need to create a virtual environment in which to install your Python library. You can do this using the built-in venv module.

Create the Virtual Environment

1. Open your terminal.

2. Navigate to the directory where you want to create your project.

3. Run the following command:

   python -m venv myenv
   

Here, myenv is the name of your virtual environment. You can choose any name you prefer.

Activate the Virtual Environment

To start using the virtual environment, you need to activate it.

• On Linux/MacOS:

  source myenv/bin/activate
  

• On Windows:

  myenv\Scripts\activate
  

Activating the virtual environment modifies your PATH so that you can use the environment's Python and pip executables.

Step 2: Creating Your Python Library

Now, let’s create a simple Python library that includes some Bash scripts.

Directory Structure

Your project directory should look something like this:

myproject/
│
├── mylib/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   └── myscript.py
│
├── scripts/
│   ├── script1.sh
│   └── script2.sh
│
└── setup.py

Example Bash Scripts

Inside the scripts directory, create your Bash scripts. Here's an example of what script1.sh might look like:

#!/bin/bash
echo "Hello from script1"

Don't forget to give your scripts executable permissions:

chmod +x scripts/*.sh

Create setup.py File

Your setup.py should specify your package and data files, including the Bash scripts. Here’s a simple example of what it could look like:

from setuptools import setup, find_packages

setup(
    name='myproject',
    version='0.1',
    packages=find_packages(),
    package_data={
        '': ['scripts/*.sh'],  # Include all .sh files in scripts directory
    },
    include_package_data=True,
    entry_points={
        'console_scripts': [
            'script1=scripts.script1:main',  # Make script1 available
            'script2=scripts.script2:main',  # Make script2 available
        ],
    },
)

Note

For entry_points, you might want to create a Python function (like main) in your myscript.py that can invoke your scripts. However, if you directly wish to use the Bash scripts without modifications, you can create symlinks in the bin directory of your virtual environment.

Step 3: Installing the Library

With the scripts and your setup.py configured, you can install your library:

pip install -e .

This command installs the library in "editable" mode, allowing you to modify the source code among other benefits.

Step 4: Making Scripts Available in PATH

1. Ensure that your scripts directory is included in the virtual environment’s PATH. When you activate the environment, the bin directory (where the scripts are installed if you included them as entry points) is already in the PATH.

2. To access your scripts using the desired <FOLDER>/<SCRIPT> format, you can structure them directly under the scripts folder or create symbolic links if necessary.

Example Access

Assuming script1.sh is located in the scripts folder, to run it, you could use:

script1

If you prefer the usage format <FOLDER>/<SCRIPT>, you can invoke it like:

scripts/script1.sh

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can successfully install a Python library with Bash scripts into a virtual environment, make those scripts available in the system PATH, and access them in a specified format. This setup allows for a clean and organized way to handle Bash scripts alongside your Python code, leveraging the benefits of inherent Python packaging tools. If any issues arise during this process, ensure all paths and permissions are correctly set, and that you're operating within the activated virtual environment.