|  |  |  | Distributing Python Modules |  |  |  | 
 
 
1.4 Distutils-specific terminology
The following terms apply more specifically to the domain of
distributing Python modules using the Distutils:
- module distribution
- a collection of Python modules distributed
  together as a single downloadable resource and meant to be installed
  en masse.  Examples of some well-known module distributions are
  Numeric Python, PyXML, PIL (the Python Imaging Library), or
  mxBase.  (This would be called a package, except that term
  is already taken in the Python context: a single module distribution
  may contain zero, one, or many Python packages.)
 
- pure module distribution
- a module distribution that contains only
  pure Python modules and packages.  Sometimes referred to as a ``pure
  distribution.''
 
- non-pure module distribution
- a module distribution that contains
  at least one extension module.  Sometimes referred to as a ``non-pure
  distribution.''
 
- distribution root
- the top-level directory of your source tree (or 
  source distribution); the directory where setup.py exists.  Generally 
  setup.py will be run from this directory.
Release 2.4.4, documentation updated on 18 October 2006.
 
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