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I was installing pandas on my machine and came across this error:

Running setup.py (path:/tmp/pip-build-WzvvgM/pandas/setup.py) egg_info for package pandas

Cleaning up... Command python setup.py egg_info failed with error code 1 in /tmp/pip-build-WzvvgM/pandas Storing debug log for failure in /home/user508/.pip/pip.log

Should I use a wheel file for pandas? What is the difference between a Python 'wheel' and 'egg'?

From Python Packaging User Guide, I could understand that both are an archive format used for installing Python packages, (or libraries), but the 'wheel' format has one very significant difference from the 'egg' format. From the user prospective, wheels can include C and other extensions without having the developer tools, (compiler, etc.), installed.

Why are both used for installing Python packages?

Peter Mortensen
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Sachin Yadav
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  • I see this is a bit older question, anyway, could you provide info how did you try to install pandas. Regularly with pip or via any other process (e.g. build it by yourself)? – Nerxis Jul 28 '21 at 13:14

1 Answers1

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In Python, both wheels and eggs are packaging formats used to distribute and install Python software packages. They serve a similar purpose, but there are a few differences between them:

  • Format: A wheel is a binary distribution format, while an egg is a legacy format that can contain either source code or compiled code.

  • Metadata: Wheels use the "dist-info" directory to store metadata information about the package, including its name, version, dependencies, and other relevant details. Eggs use the "egg-info" directory for similar purposes.

  • Compatibility: Wheels are the recommended distribution format for Python packages since Python 3. While eggs can still be used in older versions, they are generally considered less preferable for new projects.

  • Installation: Installing a wheel is typically faster than installing an egg because wheels contain pre-compiled binary files. Eggs, on the other hand, may require additional steps for compilation, depending on the package.

  • Platform-specific: Wheels can be built specifically for different platforms, such as Windows, macOS, or Linux, allowing for more efficient installation and compatibility. Eggs, being a legacy format, may not have the same level of platform-specific support.

  • Pip support: The Python package manager, pip, has better support for installing and managing wheels compared to eggs. Wheels can be easily installed using pip, while eggs may require additional tools or options for installation.

Given these differences, wheels are generally the preferred packaging format for Python packages, especially in newer versions of Python. They offer improved performance, better compatibility, and easier installation compared to eggs.

Ravi
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    This answer looks like ChatGPT – DavidW Jul 08 '23 at 11:19
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