使用pip install安装 Python 包的背后原理与文件解析：中英双语

中文版

使用 pip install 安装 Python 包的背后原理与文件解析

在 Python 开发中，pip 是最常用的包管理工具，它能够帮助开发者轻松地安装、管理和更新第三方库。当我们执行像 pip install build 这样的命令时，pip 会去下载所需的包及其依赖项并安装到当前的 Python 环境中。

本文将通过一个实际的 pip install build 命令执行过程，详细讲解 pip install 做了什么，安装过程中的文件是什么，为什么会看到 .whl 和 .whl.metadata 文件等。

1. 执行 pip install build 命令

pip install build

这个命令会安装名为 build 的 Python 包。build 是一个用于构建 Python 包的工具，特别是用来打包和分发 Python 项目。在执行这个命令时，pip 会从 Python 包索引（PyPI）中下载并安装 build 包及其依赖项。关于PyPI，可以参考笔者的另一篇博客：什么是 PyPI（Python Package Index，Python 包索引）？

2. 安装过程的详细解析

在执行过程中，我们会看到类似以下的输出信息：

Collecting build
  Downloading build-1.2.2.post1-py3-none-any.whl.metadata (6.5 kB)
Collecting packaging>=19.1 (from build)
  Using cached packaging-24.2-py3-none-any.whl.metadata (3.2 kB)
Collecting pyproject_hooks (from build)
  Downloading pyproject_hooks-1.2.0-py3-none-any.whl.metadata (1.3 kB)
Collecting tomli>=1.1.0 (from build)
  Using cached tomli-2.2.1-py3-none-any.whl.metadata (10 kB)
Downloading build-1.2.2.post1-py3-none-any.whl (22 kB)
Using cached packaging-24.2-py3-none-any.whl (65 kB)
Using cached tomli-2.2.1-py3-none-any.whl (14 kB)
Downloading pyproject_hooks-1.2.0-py3-none-any.whl (10 kB)
Installing collected packages: tomli, pyproject_hooks, packaging, build
Successfully installed build-1.2.2.post1 packaging-24.2 pyproject_hooks-1.2.0 tomli-2.2.1

3. 文件类型解释

在安装过程中，我们会看到 .whl.metadata 文件和 .whl 文件，这两个文件有什么区别呢？以下是它们的详细解析：

3.1 .whl 文件

.whl 文件是 Python 的Wheel格式文件，是一种打包格式，用来加速安装过程。Wheel 文件格式（.whl）是为了解决传统的源代码安装（比如通过 .tar.gz 或 .zip 文件）安装速度较慢的问题，Wheel 文件已经将包的内容编译成二进制格式，可以直接安装，而无需编译源代码。

例如：

Downloading build-1.2.2.post1-py3-none-any.whl (22 kB)

这里，build-1.2.2.post1-py3-none-any.whl 是一个 Wheel 文件，包含了安装 build 包所需的所有文件。它的文件名遵循特定的命名规范，包含版本信息、Python 版本兼容性以及系统架构信息。

3.2 .whl.metadata 文件

.whl.metadata 文件是 Wheel 文件的元数据文件，包含了有关该 Wheel 文件的附加信息。它通常包含一些额外的版本信息、依赖项信息、构建环境等。

例如：

Downloading build-1.2.2.post1-py3-none-any.whl.metadata (6.5 kB)

在此，build-1.2.2.post1-py3-none-any.whl.metadata 是与 Wheel 文件配套的元数据文件，它提供了安装包的附加信息，pip 会使用这些信息来检查包的兼容性、依赖关系等。

4. 为什么需要这两种文件？

在 pip 下载和安装包时，.whl 文件包含了需要安装的包的实际代码和资源，而 .whl.metadata 文件则包含了包的元数据。这些元数据对于确保包正确安装和满足所有依赖项是非常重要的。具体而言，.whl.metadata 文件可以帮助 pip 验证包版本、解析依赖项，甚至检查包的兼容性。

5. 安装完成后的结果

当所有包和其依赖项（如 packaging、pyproject_hooks、tomli）成功安装之后，pip 会在输出中显示如下信息：

Successfully installed build-1.2.2.post1 packaging-24.2 pyproject_hooks-1.2.0 tomli-2.2.1

这意味着 build 包以及它的所有依赖都已经被正确安装到当前的 Python 环境中。此时，你可以在命令行中使用 build 命令来构建 Python 项目。

6. 总结

通过执行 pip install build 命令，我们安装了 build 包及其依赖。安装过程中，pip 从 PyPI 下载了 Wheel 文件（.whl），并使用这些文件完成安装。同时，.whl.metadata 文件提供了包的元数据，确保安装过程顺利进行。了解这些文件及其作用，有助于我们更好地理解 pip install 的工作原理。

希望通过本篇博客，你能更清楚地理解 pip install 命令的工作原理，特别是在安装包时如何处理不同的文件格式和依赖项。

英文版

Understanding the pip install Process and the Role of Files in Python Package Installation

In Python development, pip is the most commonly used package manager, helping developers easily install, manage, and update third-party libraries. When we execute a command like pip install build, pip downloads the required package and its dependencies, installing them into the current Python environment.

In this blog post, we will explain what happens during the pip install build process, describe the different files involved, and discuss why we see .whl and .whl.metadata files during the installation process.

1. Executing the pip install build Command

pip install build

This command installs the build Python package, which is a tool used for building Python packages, specifically for packaging and distributing Python projects. When this command is executed, pip downloads and installs the build package and its dependencies from the Python Package Index (PyPI).

2. Detailed Breakdown of the Installation Process

During the installation, you will see output similar to the following:

Collecting build
  Downloading build-1.2.2.post1-py3-none-any.whl.metadata (6.5 kB)
Collecting packaging>=19.1 (from build)
  Using cached packaging-24.2-py3-none-any.whl.metadata (3.2 kB)
Collecting pyproject_hooks (from build)
  Downloading pyproject_hooks-1.2.0-py3-none-any.whl.metadata (1.3 kB)
Collecting tomli>=1.1.0 (from build)
  Using cached tomli-2.2.1-py3-none-any.whl.metadata (10 kB)
Downloading build-1.2.2.post1-py3-none-any.whl (22 kB)
Using cached packaging-24.2-py3-none-any.whl (65 kB)
Using cached tomli-2.2.1-py3-none-any.whl (14 kB)
Downloading pyproject_hooks-1.2.0-py3-none-any.whl (10 kB)
Installing collected packages: tomli, pyproject_hooks, packaging, build
Successfully installed build-1.2.2.post1 packaging-24.2 pyproject_hooks-1.2.0 tomli-2.2.1

3. Explanation of the File Types Involved

During installation, you’ll notice both .whl and .whl.metadata files. Let’s break down the differences between these files:

3.1 .whl Files

The .whl file is a Wheel file, a packaging format used to distribute Python packages. Wheel files are a binary format that allows for faster installations because they eliminate the need to compile source code, making the installation process quicker.

For example:

Downloading build-1.2.2.post1-py3-none-any.whl (22 kB)

Here, build-1.2.2.post1-py3-none-any.whl is a Wheel file containing all the necessary files to install the build package. The filename follows a specific naming convention that indicates the package version, Python version compatibility, and system architecture.

3.2 .whl.metadata Files

The .whl.metadata file is a metadata file that accompanies a Wheel file. It contains additional information about the Wheel file, such as version details, dependencies, and other package-specific data.

For example:

Downloading build-1.2.2.post1-py3-none-any.whl.metadata (6.5 kB)

In this case, build-1.2.2.post1-py3-none-any.whl.metadata is a metadata file associated with the Wheel file. It provides important information that pip uses to validate the package version, resolve dependencies, and ensure compatibility.

4. Why Are Both Files Needed?

During the installation process, the .whl file contains the actual code and resources required for the package installation, while the .whl.metadata file provides the necessary metadata about the package. The metadata is crucial for ensuring that the package is installed correctly, its dependencies are met, and that the installation is compatible with the current environment.

In summary, .whl.metadata files allow pip to validate the package and handle dependencies properly, making the installation process more efficient and less error-prone.

5. Final Result of the Installation

Once all the packages and their dependencies, such as packaging, pyproject_hooks, and tomli, are successfully installed, you will see the following message:

Successfully installed build-1.2.2.post1 packaging-24.2 pyproject_hooks-1.2.0 tomli-2.2.1

This indicates that the build package and all its dependencies have been installed correctly into the current Python environment. At this point, you can use the build command to start building your Python project.

6. Conclusion

By executing the pip install build command, we installed the build package and its dependencies. During this process, pip downloaded Wheel files (.whl) and associated metadata files (.whl.metadata). The Wheel files contain the actual package code, while the metadata files provide important information for the installation process, such as dependency resolution and version compatibility.

Understanding the role of these files helps us better grasp how pip manages Python package installations and how it ensures that packages are installed correctly and efficiently.

后记

2024年12月30日16点50分于上海。