Why isn't all parts of a python project built in the build folder?
I'm working on a project and started to get interested in project build systems and found setuptools. The essence of the problem:
I have a repository with code. I added a setup.py (pictured above) to build the project and add some installation scripts. When I add packages or modules as arguments to the setup() function, pip install . all dependencies are installed and the build folder appears as in the picture
But at the same time there are parts of the project, such as a folder with pictures, which I separately specify in MANIFEST.in But nothing that is specified in MANIFEST.in appears in the build folder. Below in the picture is the contents of MANIFEST.in The most interesting thing is that when building the project, the file is read, and everything that is specified falls into the source.txt file generated during the build. That is, folders and files are visible, but they are not added to build.
The main problem is that the scripts won't work without the source files. If you add, then only directly in the setup () function. In that case, what does MANIFEST.in actually do? (other than adding information about these sources)
I tried changing the commands in the file MANIFEST.in but that didn't help. As I understand it, the problem is not in it, since the generated description contains files from the MANIFEST.in file. Another question is why they are not in the build folder. It is also important to note that with the python setyp.py dst command, the resulting project archive contains absolutely all the necessary folders and files.
