Python Package
A Python package is a directory-based organizational structure for grouping related Python modules under a common namespace. To be recognized as a package by Python’s import system, a directory must contain an __init__.py file, which can be either empty or contain initialization code. This file serves as the package’s entry point and allows the package to define what symbols are available when imported, enabling package-level setup and configuration.
Distribution and Installation
Python packages are typically distributed through the Python Package Index (PyPI), a centralized repository of open-source Python packages. The standard tool for installing packages from PyPI is pip, Python’s package installer, which retrieves packages and their dependencies automatically. Package authors create distributable formats such as wheels or source distributions and upload them to PyPI using tools like setuptools or modern alternatives like poetry and flit.
Structure and Development
A well-organized package generally contains source code in a top-level package directory, along with supplementary files such as setup.py, pyproject.toml for configuration, README documentation, and license information. Subpackages can be created by nesting directories with their own __init__.py files, allowing for hierarchical organization of larger projects. This structure enables developers to maintain modular code, facilitate code reuse across projects, and establish clear public APIs through careful management of package-level imports.
Source Notes
- 2026-04-07: Bonsai 8B: PrismML
- 2026-04-10: Bonsai 8B PrismMLs Revolutionary 1 Bit LLM First Look Test · ▶ source