Python – create an EXE that runs code as written, not as it was when compiled

After some experiments I’ve found a solution.

1. Create a separate folder source in the main folder of the application. Here will be placed source files. Also place file __init__.py to the folder. Lets name a main file like main_module.py.

2. Add all of its contents as a data files to the py2exe configuration setup.py. Now after compiling the program, these files will be placed in the dist folder.

   data_files += [('source', glob('source/*.py'),)]
   setup(
         data_files=data_files,
         ....  # other options
        windows=[
             {
               "script": "launcher.py",
               "icon_resources": [(0, "resources/favicon.ico")]
             }
        )
   

3. Make launcher.py – it’s task is to import all system and required libraries like pygame, pyqt and so on. Then run you program:

   import sys, time, os, hashlib, atexit  # std modules
   import PyQt5, ...   # foreign libraries
   sys.path.insert(0, 'source')
   exec('import main_module')
   

4. Now main_module.py will be imported, if it imports your modules, they will be imported too in their places in hierarchy. For example head of the main_module.py can be like this:

    import user_tweaks
    from user_data import parser
   

   These files user_tweaks.py and user_data.py should be located in source folder at appropriate paths relative to main_module.py.

You may change contents of source folder without recompilation program itself. Any time program runs it uses fresh contents of source.

As a result you have an application folder with:

• A separate launcher – simple .exe file
• All required modules
• Your application with all its modules.