**Course Title:** PyQt6 Application Development **Section Title:** Deploying PyQt6 Applications **Topic:** Creating app installers **Introduction:** Once you've developed and tested your PyQt6 application, the next step is to deploy it to your target audience. To do this, you'll need to create an installer that allows users to easily install your application on their systems. In this topic, we'll explore the process of creating app installers for PyQt6 applications, focusing on two popular tools: PyInstaller and fbs. **PyInstaller:** PyInstaller is a popular, cross-platform tool for packaging Python applications, including those built with PyQt6. Here's a step-by-step guide to using PyInstaller: 1. **Install PyInstaller:** You can install PyInstaller using pip: ```bash pip install pyinstaller ``` 2. **Create a main application file:** Identify the main Python file that launches your application. For example, if your application is structured like this: ``` myapp/ main.py other_module.py ``` Your `main.py` file should contain the code that launches your application. 3. **Run PyInstaller:** Navigate to the directory containing your `main.py` file and run: ```bash pyinstaller --windowed --onefile main.py ``` This will create a standalone executable file for your application. **fbs:** fbs (freezing Builder for SilvaNS) is another popular tool for packaging PyQt6 applications. Here's a step-by-step guide to using fbs: 1. **Install fbs:** You can install fbs using pip: ```bash pip install fbs ``` 2. **Create a `settings.py` file:** Create a `settings.py` file in the root directory of your project with the following content: ```python def main(): from myapp import MyApp MyApp().run() ``` Replace `myapp` with the actual name of your module. 3. **Create a `target.json` file:** Create a `target.json` file in the root directory of your project with the following content: ```json { "name": "My App", "version": "1.0.0", "main_module": { "module_path": "src/main.py", "run_function": "main" } } ``` Replace `src/main.py` with the actual path to your `main.py` file. 4. **Run fbs:** Navigate to the root directory of your project and run: ```bash fbs freeze ``` This will create a standalone executable file for your application. **Best Practices:** * **Test your installer:** Before deploying your application, test the installer on different systems to ensure that it works correctly. **Example Use Case:** Suppose you've built a PyQt6 application for managing a to-do list. You can use PyInstaller or fbs to create an installer that allows users to install the application on their systems. Here's an example using PyInstaller: ```bash pyinstaller --windowed --onefile todo_app.py ``` This will create a standalone executable file for your to-do list application. **Conclusion:** In this topic, we've explored the process of creating app installers for PyQt6 applications using PyInstaller and fbs. By following the steps outlined in this topic, you can create an installer that allows users to easily install your application on their systems. Remember to test your installer before deploying your application to ensure that it works correctly. **What to Expect Next:** In the next topic, we'll explore best practices for app deployment and versioning. **External Links:** * [PyInstaller documentation](https://pyinstaller.readthedocs.io/en/stable/) * [fbs documentation](https://build-system.fman.io/) **Have Questions or Need Help?** Leave a comment below if you have any questions or need help with creating app installers for your PyQt6 application.