🔒 Kivy to .exe executable errors

[ripe parrot]

Hey. I have been creating this pos application using kivy and python for the past month and it has been working perfectly. However, I tried to convert the app into an .exe executable file for windows, using the --onefile approach, and although it compiles and completes. the result is a black screen instead of showing the application. I have tried using helper functions def resource_path(relative_path) to link all non-python (without .py) files, but it still doesn't work. I have been stuck at this problem for days, and the client expects the project by the end of the week. It feels as if I have wasted an entire month.... Someone please come rescue me. Please!!!

[vernal raptor]

@ripe parrot

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[upper dirge]

i dont know much about how you will fix this in time. but if the client is on windows. i have a solution for you.

1. use the embedded python edition, download the zip from official python website
2. install all necessary modules into the embedded python edition (this is a special process)
3. place your modules/source alongside the embedded python
4. write a ".bat" script or write a ".py" file that simply executes the embedded python and launches your module. if you choose to use ".py" here, it can be easily converted since it wont use any external modules

[kind pilot]

Show your resource_path helpers?

Do you get any error messages?

@ripe parrot ^

I saw you posted it, but it disappeared

[ripe parrot]

wow... that's sound technical. okay. so I go to the official python website and download... I am trying to figure out the basics as it is, and have no idea how to use embedding python.

[ripe parrot]

def resource_path(relative_path):
""" Get absolute path to resource, works for dev and for PyInstaller """
try:
# PyInstaller creates a temp folder and stores path in _MEIPASS
base_path = sys._MEIPASS
except Exception:
base_path = os.path.abspath(".")

return os.path.join(base_path, relative_path)

Builder.load_file(resource_path('views/dailysales/dailysales.kv'))
class DailySales(BoxLayout):

[upper dirge]

alright, i'll guide you through it?

https://www.python.org/downloads/release/python-3118/

download windows embeddable package 64-bit

[ripe parrot]

def show_user_details(self, user_info):
# Perform the update in your data storage (e.g., JSON file)
users = []
if os.path.exists(resource_path("users.json")):
with open(resource_path("users.json"), "r") as f:
users = json.load(f)

    # Find and update the specific user
    for u in users:
        if u["user_name"] == self.user_info.get('user_name', 'User'):
            # Update the UI with the new user information
            self.user_name = f"{u['first_name']} {u['last_name']}"
            self.nick_name = u['user_name']

this is how I am using it within the class.

[kind pilot]

I think you want to use importlib.resources not MEIPASS

[ripe parrot]

next step?

[upper dirge]

make a folder, for the sake of cleanliness

and extract the zip into that folder

[ripe parrot]

do you mind rewriting the function and then giving me the feedback.

[kind pilot]

Well it depends where views is stored as a python package

[upper dirge]

after you are done extracting the zip
download this file and save it in the folder
https://bootstrap.pypa.io/pip/pip.pyz

[kind pilot]

Like how would you import views.dailysales

[ripe parrot]

should i just drug and drop it?

[upper dirge]

yeah

that should do

[ripe parrot]

next?

[upper dirge]

uh can you show me how you have saved the files? screenshot the folder i asked you to create

[ripe parrot]

here is an example: from views.auth.auth import StateManager StateManager is an empty class in the auth folder... all pages are structured that way.

[ripe parrot]

the files are in the embedding python folder.

[upper dirge]

uh make a new folder

and copy that folder within it

we need to keep the python runtime clean

[kind pilot]

So you want:

import os
import importlib.resources
from views import dailysales

dskv = importlib.resources.files(dailysales) / "dailysales.kv"
with importlib.resources.as_file(dskv) as dskv_fn:
    Builder.load_file(os.fsdecode(dskv_fn))

[ripe parrot]

like this or should the new folder be empty?

[upper dirge]

yeah, nice, that's exactly what i needed. now rename the folder to "python" (This is new folder (Will rename it))

also, copy the pip.pyz file from inside that folder to outside that folder (move it to "Embedding Python")

remove it from inside

also, copy your source code folder to "embedding python"

[kind pilot]

What error message did you get from kivy?

[ripe parrot]

dude am sorry, got discconected there for a minute.

[upper dirge]

not a problem, just copy ur source to the embedding python folder

[ripe parrot]

no errors when am compiling the code. it runs perfectly. like if I run it on my computer, it works without a hitch. but if i use pyinstaller, it completes the compilation with no errors, but displays a black screen.

[kind pilot]

You don't get a runtime error?

Like FileNotFoundError?

[ripe parrot]

non errors whatsoever. just a black screen on complete.

[ripe parrot]

the entire source code. should i just add it as a folder, or what should i do?

[upper dirge]

yeah, just copy the folder

[ripe parrot]

Like this?

[ripe parrot]

after that step, what next? do i run it from this new folder?

[upper dirge]

yes

[upper dirge]

noop

now you need to open a terminal in that folder

or cmd in that folder

the embedding python folder

this is a sufficiently long process so bear with me

[ripe parrot]

no problem...

[upper dirge]

right

n

NO

wait

you need to make modification

to the file python/python311._pth

open that file in a text editor

[ripe parrot]

c

[upper dirge]

this

can you show me the source structure? the directory tree of "POS" folder

showing from within vscode with the tree expanded would help

[ripe parrot]

something like this. they all have three files each. the init.py, folder{eg auth/dailysales}.kv and the folder{eg auth/dailysales}.py

[upper dirge]

alright, the entry point is main.py?

[ripe parrot]

yes

[upper dirge]

now from within the command prompt you opened earlier

.\python\python.exe enter the interpreter and exit it (this will create site-packages directory)

[ripe parrot]

what next

[upper dirge]

yea, exit it

now you have to run the command .\python\python.exe pip.pyz install -r POS/requirements.txt

this should install ur requirements

[ripe parrot]

how do i exit?

[upper dirge]

exit()

wait what?

lol

import sys
sys.exit()

[ripe parrot]

finally worked. what was the previous instruction before i rudely interrupted asking about how to exit?

[upper dirge]

now you have to run the command .\python\python.exe pip.pyz install -r POS/requirements.txt

this shall install all your project requirements into the runtime/embedded python

[ripe parrot]

can i try to run it from the folder as it is right now to check if everything works?

[upper dirge]

for that cd POS

and run ..\python\python.exe main.py

does it work?

[ripe parrot]

everything works. when i run python main.py it works but this ..\python\python.exe main.py command is showing some issues.

[upper dirge]

yeah, what would that be?

[ripe parrot]

now am not sure if python main.py is using the global (not sure if that's the word) interpreter or if its using the python from the folder.

[upper dirge]

oh, so it is having trouble with importing

[upper dirge]

its using python from interpreter

[ripe parrot]

when i run this:

[upper dirge]

run ..\python\python.exe

to get into the interpreter

[ripe parrot]

I get this/

[upper dirge]

and inside the interpreter

import sys
print(sys.path)

the issue isn't anything major that you are facing

it simply means that the path is incorrect

we can fix that

[ripe parrot]

C:\Users\dell\Desktop\Embedding Python\POS>python
Python 3.12.1 (tags/v3.12.1:2305ca5, Dec 7 2023, 22:03:25) [MSC v.1937 64 bit (AMD64)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.

import sys

print(sys.path)
['', 'C:\Users\dell\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\python312.zip', 'C:\Users\dell\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\DLLs', 'C:\Users\dell\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\Lib', 'C:\Users\dell\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312', 'C:\Users\dell\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\Lib\site-packages', 'C:\Users\dell\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\Lib\site-packages\win32', 'C:\Users\dell\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\Lib\site-packages\win32\lib', 'C:\Users\dell\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\Lib\site-packages\Pythonwin']

[upper dirge]

not this, you are to do that in ..\python\python.exe (folder python)

[ripe parrot]

got you.

C:\Users\dell\Desktop\Embedding Python\POS>..\python\python.exe
Python 3.11.8 (tags/v3.11.8:db85d51, Feb 6 2024, 22:03:32) [MSC v.1937 64 bit (AMD64)] on win32

import sys

print(sys.path)
['C:\Users\dell\Desktop\Embedding Python\python\python311.zip', 'C:\Users\dell\Desktop\Embedding Python\python']

[upper dirge]

this suggests that you forgot to save the changes i asked you to make, are u sure they are saved?

[ripe parrot]

can you please remind me which changes. Come to think of it, i did not edit the python311._pth as you had said.

[ripe parrot]

how do i do this?

[upper dirge]

ah, replace the file content of python311._pth

with that shown in the given image

[ripe parrot]

Should I delete the # Uncomment to run site.main() automatically highlited in the image?

[upper dirge]

sure, delete the comment. and uncomment the import site line

this file is like setting up PYTHONPATH for your runtime

[ripe parrot]

Got you. so now what do i need to do now?

[upper dirge]

right save it

[ripe parrot]

done

[upper dirge]

and inside the command prompt, run ..\python\python.exe main.py

and let me know if any errors/issues rise up

[ripe parrot]

C:\Users\dell\Desktop\Embedding Python\POS>..\python\python.exe main.py
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "C:\Users\dell\Desktop\Embedding Python\POS\main.py", line 16, in <module>
from app import MainApp
File "C:\Users\dell\Desktop\Embedding Python\POS\app_init_.py", line 14, in <module>
from kivy.app import App
ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'kivy'

C:\Users\dell\Desktop\Embedding Python\POS>

I have had this error before and I just download kivy. should i do that here?

[upper dirge]

how do you download kivy? exactly?

using pip?

[ripe parrot]

pip install kivy

yeah

[upper dirge]

in that case you need to run ..\python\python.exe ..\pip.pyz install kivy

[ripe parrot]

its freaking working!!! Thanks man. what next?

[upper dirge]

so now your app works?

right?

[ripe parrot]

perfectly

[upper dirge]

right, for the sake of your client, you would probabbly like to have a POS.exe (a launcher at the Embeded Python folder)?

[ripe parrot]

yeah. assume that they are not tech savy and have no understanding of how to use a terminal.

[upper dirge]

i figured

in that case let's do a very simple file.

at the root of this all, inside Embedded Python folder, create a file POS.py

[ripe parrot]

that's outside the POS directory right?

[upper dirge]

yes

i'll write down the code you need inside that

import subprocess
import os

subprocess.run([".\\python\\python.exe", "POS\\main.py"], cwd=os.getcwd()+"\\POS")

this should do

once you are done saving it
try running this in the cmd after "cd .." so that you are in the root

python POS.py

let me know if any errors arise before we proceed to final step

[ripe parrot]

C:\Users\dell\Desktop\Embedding Python\POS>python POS.py
python: can't open file 'C:\Users\dell\Desktop\Embedding Python\POS\POS.py': [Errno 2] No such file or directory

[upper dirge]

you forgot to cd ..

you need to run it from the root (embedded python folder)

[upper dirge]

uh righttt, sorry, error in my code indeed. let me write a fix

import subprocess
import os

subprocess.run(["..\\python\\python.exe", "main.py"], cwd=os.getcwd()+"\\POS")

this

after saving, now retry python POS.py

[ripe parrot]

C:\Users\dell\Desktop\Embedding Python>python pos.py
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "C:\Users\dell\Desktop\Embedding Python\pos.py", line 4, in <module>
subprocess.run(["..\python\python.exe", "main.py"], cwd=os.getcwd()+"\POS")
File "C:\Users\dell\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\Lib\subprocess.py", line 548, in run
with Popen(*popenargs, **kwargs) as process:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
File "C:\Users\dell\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\Lib\subprocess.py", line 1026, in init
self._execute_child(args, executable, preexec_fn, close_fds,
File "C:\Users\dell\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312\Lib\subprocess.py", line 1538, in _execute_child
hp, ht, pid, tid = _winapi.CreateProcess(executable, args,
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 2] The system cannot find the file specified

C:\Users\dell\Desktop\Embedding Python>

[upper dirge]

can you screenshot me the code?

of POS.py

[ripe parrot]

here it is.

[upper dirge]

hmm, how about replacing the double dot with a single dot

instead of ..\\python change it to .\\python

and try it again

[ripe parrot]

works like a freaking charm.

[upper dirge]

alright, time to finish it up

do the following one by one

pip install -U pyinstaller
pyinstaller pos.py --onefile

[ripe parrot]

while still in the same directory right?

[upper dirge]

yes

[ripe parrot]

nothing happened. do i need to create a virtual environment?

[upper dirge]

uh, did pyinstaller not work?

[ripe parrot]

It just loaded for a bit, then nothing. no errors.. no feedback. it just ran for a second then stopped.

[upper dirge]

this is indeed strange

if you can, please proceed to do the afformentioned steps in a venv

unfortunately, i do not know the ins and outs of venv so that is up to you

so, any progress?

[ripe parrot]

am getting this error in the finished version:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "pos.py", line 4, in <module>
File "subprocess.py", line 548, in run
File "subprocess.py", line 1026, in init
File "subprocess.py", line 1538, in _execute_child
FileNotFoundError: [WinError 2] The system cannot find the file specified

[upper dirge]

wait, did you copy pos.exe from dist to the embedded python folder?

[ripe parrot]

no, i am running it from the dist.

[upper dirge]

copy it to the embedded python folder

and then run it

[ripe parrot]

should i cut or just copy it?

[upper dirge]

if everything works, let me know and we shall proceed to cleanup

[upper dirge]

cut is also fine

[ripe parrot]

dude. you are a freaking miracle worker. it works

[upper dirge]

now for the cleanup, please share a screenshot of windows explorer in "embedded python" folder

[upper dirge]

(ofcourse it does, i recently developed this specific procedure for my own app)

[upper dirge]

alright

delete the folder named build and dist and new_venv

and then delete the file pip.pyz pos.py POS.spec

so finally you should have something like this:

POS
python
POS.exe

try running POS.exe one final time

[ripe parrot]

it freaking works. i was almost not sure about deleting the pos.py file, but it works without it. dude. you are a freaking genius. I have no idea how to thank you.

[upper dirge]

now, you can zip this folder and send it to your client.

no thanks necessary, i will use this post of yours as a reference for my own projects

[ripe parrot]

is there anyway to create like a shortcut that can be used on the desktop for easier access or is that a little bit too much to ask after all that.

[upper dirge]

that is indeed possible, but it would require tons more of code. i do intend to develop a tool in the very near future to automate this process.

[ripe parrot]

if you need a testimonial or something, or a comment, or anything, any time man. Any freaking time, just reach out. Thanks bruh.

[upper dirge]

For now, i dont think it would be possible

[ripe parrot]

i am perfectly fine with this. perfectly fine. I have been stuck here for days on end. days.... thanks man. Thanks.

[upper dirge]

You are most welcome, no formalities neccessary :P, now to finish this up, type in the command !close in discord to close this thread

[ripe parrot]

!close

[vernal raptor]

Python help channel closed

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