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To Begin with…

Python was designed as an interpreted language with these assumptions:
  • Source code visibility: Python files (.py) are meant to be readable text
  • Runtime flexibility: Dynamic imports, monkey patching, and runtime code modification
  • Distribution model: Sharing source code or installing via package managers (pip)
  • Development workflow: Interactive development with immediate feedback
Historical Context: When Python was created in 1991, the concept of “packaging an interpreter with your code” wasn’t a primary consideration. The focus was on simplicity and readability, not standalone distribution.
But users wanted a way to redistribute their code without requiring end users to install Python or manage dependencies. This need drove the creation of tools like PyInstaller and Nuitka, each taking fundamentally different approaches to solve the same problem.

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How They Work

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Freezing vs Compilation

PyInstaller is not a compiler, but a freezer. It essentially grabs the Python interpreter, all dependencies, and packages them together (think .zip), then creates an executable file that extracts and runs this bundle at runtime. Nuitka will actually transpile (convert as much Python code as possible from Python into C), then compile the code using a C compiler like MSVC, Clang or GCC to produce native machine code.

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The Bottom Line

Both tools are excellent at what they do: As a Nuitka contributor, I’m obviously biased, but I try to be objective: Nuitka’s compilation approach can provide significant advantages. Since Nuitka transforms Python code into native C, it offers excellent IP source code protection, making your original Python code much harder to reverse engineer compared to PyInstaller’s bundling approach.