What is cx_Freeze in Python? How to freeze Python scripts using cx_Freeze. How to freeze python scripts.
cx_Freeze is a Python package used to convert Python scripts into standalone executables. It is primarily used for creating standalone applications from Python scripts so that they can be distributed and run on systems without requiring a Python interpreter or any dependencies to be installed separately.
When you develop a Python application, you need to ensure that the end-users have the same Python version and any required packages installed on their systems. This dependency issue can be a challenge, especially when distributing applications to non-developer users.
cx_Freeze addresses this problem by freezing Python scripts into executables that include the Python interpreter and all necessary modules and dependencies. This way, the end-users can run the application without having to install Python or any dependencies manually.
History
cx_Freeze was created by Anthony Tuininga, who developed it as a successor to the older py2exe package. The history of cx_Freeze can be traced back to the early 2000s.
The initial version of cx_Freeze was released in 2002, and it was primarily designed to address the need for a cross-platform solution to create standalone executables from Python scripts. The name “cx_Freeze” comes from the fact that it is a “frozen” version of Python scripts.
At that time, py2exe was the most popular tool for freezing Python scripts into Windows executables. However, py2exe was limited to Windows platforms and did not provide support for other operating systems. cx_Freeze aimed to overcome this limitation and provide a solution that could work on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Over the years, cx_Freeze has evolved and gained popularity as a reliable and versatile tool for creating standalone executables. It has been used by developers and organizations to distribute Python applications without requiring the end-users to install Python or any additional dependencies.
As with any software project, cx_Freeze has seen updates and improvements over time, including bug fixes, new features, and compatibility enhancements. Developers have contributed to its codebase, and it has remained an open-source project throughout its history.
Installation
Install cx_Freeze Before using cx_Freeze, make sure you have it installed. You can install it using pip:
pip install cx_FreezeExample
We’ll create a basic “Hello World” Python script and freeze it into an executable.
Step 1
Create the Python Script Create a Python script named hello.py with the following content:
print("Hello, World!")Save this script in a folder named my_project.
Step 2
Create the Setup Script Next, create a setup script named setup.py in the same folder as the hello.py script. This setup script tells cx_Freeze which script to freeze and specifies other configuration options:
import sys
from cx_Freeze import setup, Executable
# Include the path to the Python script you want to freeze.
script_path = "hello.py"
# Additional files/directories that should be included in the distribution.
# You may need to add other dependencies or data files here.
include_files = []
# Create an executable.
exe = Executable(
script=script_path,
base=None,
targetName="hello.exe" # The name of the output executable.
)
# Setup cx_Freeze options.
options = {
"build_exe": {
"includes": [],
"excludes": [],
"packages": [],
"include_files": include_files
}
}
# Call the setup function.
setup(
name="HelloApp",
version="1.0",
description="Hello World Application",
options=options,
executables=[exe]
)Step 3
Freeze the Script Open a command prompt (or terminal) and navigate to the folder containing the hello.py script and setup.py. Then, run the following command to freeze the script into an executable:
python setup.py buildThis will create a build directory in your project folder, containing the frozen executable named hello.exe.
Step 4
Test the Executable You can now test the executable. Navigate to the build folder, and you should find the hello.exe executable. Double-click on it, and you should see the “Hello, World!” message printed in the console window.
Remember that the generated executable will be specific to the platform you are running the cx_Freeze script on. So if you want to create executables for different platforms, you’ll need to run cx_Freeze on each platform separately. And depending on the complexity of your Python script and any external dependencies, you may need to configure the include_files, includes, excludes, and packages lists in the setup script accordingly to handle additional resources and dependencies correctly.
Advantages
cx_Freeze offers several advantages for freezing Python scripts into standalone executables:
Cross-platform support
cx_Freeze allows you to create executables that can run on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. This cross-platform capability makes it easier to distribute your Python applications to users on different operating systems without requiring them to have Python or any specific dependencies installed.
Standalone executables
The frozen executables created by cx_Freeze are standalone, meaning they include the Python interpreter and all necessary modules and dependencies. This eliminates the need for end-users to install Python or any additional packages, making the deployment process much simpler.
Dependency management
cx_Freeze handles dependency management automatically. It detects the modules and packages used in your Python script and includes them in the frozen executable. This ensures that your application runs smoothly without the hassle of managing dependencies manually.
Easy to use
cx_Freeze is straightforward to set up and use. With a simple setup script, you can specify which Python script to freeze and any additional files or dependencies to include in the distribution. This user-friendly approach makes it accessible to developers of various skill levels.
Customization options
While cx_Freeze works well with default settings, it also provides customization options to fine-tune the freezing process. You can exclude unnecessary modules, include additional files, or specify other configurations to optimize the size and performance of the frozen executable.
Performance
Frozen executables created by cx_Freeze typically exhibit good performance. Since all required modules are bundled into the executable, there is minimal overhead in importing modules at runtime, leading to faster startup times.
Open-source and actively maintained
cx_Freeze is an open-source project, meaning its source code is available for inspection and modification. Additionally, as of my last knowledge update in September 2021, it was actively maintained, with bug fixes and updates being released regularly.
Support for Python 3
cx_Freeze is compatible with Python 3, which is essential as Python 2 has reached its end-of-life and is no longer receiving updates.
Integration with build systems
cx_Freeze can be easily integrated into build systems and continuous integration (CI) pipelines. This allows for automated building and distribution of frozen executables as part of your development workflow.
Limitations
cx_Freeze does have some limitations and considerations that developers should be aware of:
Platform-specific executables
The frozen executables generated by cx_Freeze are specific to the platform on which they were created. This means that if you want to distribute your application to multiple platforms, you’ll need to run cx_Freeze separately on each target platform to generate platform-specific executables.
Limited support for some modules
cx_Freeze may not fully support all Python modules, especially those that rely on dynamic imports, introspection, or C extensions. Certain complex modules or modules that perform platform-specific operations may require additional configuration or may not work well with cx_Freeze.
Large executable size
Frozen executables created by cx_Freeze tend to be larger than the original Python script. This is because the Python interpreter and all required modules are bundled into the executable. Depending on the complexity of your script and the included modules, the size of the executable can be significant.
Slower freezing process
Freezing large and complex scripts can be time-consuming, especially when dealing with many dependencies. The freezing process may take longer for more substantial projects.
Missing dependencies
While cx_Freeze attempts to automatically detect and include dependencies used by the Python script, it might not catch all dynamic imports or hidden dependencies. In some cases, you may need to manually specify additional files or packages to ensure that the frozen executable works correctly.
No bytecode protection
The frozen executables generated by cx_Freeze do not provide any form of bytecode protection. The source code can be extracted from the executable by determined individuals, making it unsuitable for sensitive or proprietary applications.
Resource file handling
Managing resource files (e.g., data files, configuration files) in frozen executables can be more challenging compared to standalone Python scripts. You need to ensure that the paths to these resource files are correctly handled in the frozen executable.
Limited support for GUI frameworks
While cx_Freeze can work with various GUI frameworks like Tkinter, PyQt, or wxPython, you might encounter issues with some GUI-specific functionalities or themes. Proper configuration and additional workarounds may be necessary in certain cases.
Compatibility with third-party packages
If your Python script depends on third-party packages that are not well-supported or not thoroughly tested with cx_Freeze, you might encounter unexpected issues during the freezing process or when running the executable.
Maintenance and updates
As with any software, there is a possibility that cx_Freeze might face compatibility issues with future Python versions or operating system updates if it is not actively maintained or updated regularly.
Despite these limitations, cx_Freeze remains a valuable tool for converting Python scripts into standalone executables, especially for simple to moderately complex projects. Developers should carefully test their frozen executables and be prepared to address any issues that may arise during the freezing process.
— — —
Why did the Python script get cold?
Because it forgot to cx_Freeze itself!
🙂🙂🙂
