pyclean 2.2.0

Wait! What is bytecode?

Bytecode is opcodes for the Python Virtual Machine. – Confused?

If you want to deep-dive into the topic watch the 2013 EuroPython talk “All Singing All Dancing Python Bytecode” by Larry Hastings. Otherwise James Bennett’s “Introduction to Python bytecode” should provide you with just the sound understanding of what it is all about.

Why not simply use rm **/*.pyc or find -name '*.py?' -delete?

If you’re happy with rm or find, go for it! When I was looking for a simple, concise solution for everybody I figured people are struggling, and simple things are more complicated than they appear at first sight.

Also, there is a pyclean command (and its siblings) on Debian. And, well, only on Debian as it turns out. Not that I’m a big fan of Mircosoft Windos, but why ignore the biggest Python population on this planet? (As if they weren’t punished enough already using this unfree piece of software!)

Debian

Just for reference, the Python scripts Debian ships with its python-minimal and python3-minimal packages can be found at:

• pyclean: salsa.debian.org/cpython-team/python-defaults

• py3clean: salsa.debian.org/cpython-team/python3-defaults

• pypyclean: salsa.debian.org/debian/pypy

Use pyclean with Tox

If you want to avoid installing pyclean you can add it to your tox.ini file as follows:

[testenv:clean]
skip_install = true
deps = pyclean
commands = pyclean {posargs:.}

You’ll then be able to run it with Tox like this:

$ tox -e clean

Roadmap (for v3.0.0)

1. Replace original Debian scripts (current --legacy) by a single, pure Python, Python 3-only code base that serves all target platforms.

2. Reduce the package dependencies to an absolute minimum for maximum portability.

3. Add additional CLI options to delete debris from builds, testing and packaging (build/, .cache/, dist/, .pytest_cache/, .tox/ and free-form targets).