Scripting Languages and File Extensions in FileWave

Apple used to provide a version of Python pre-installed, however as noted, this was an old version and is now deprecated.  It is possible to download Python installers, however Apple provide Python in the Xcode Command Line Tools.  The following method demonstrates how the softwareupdate mechanism may be used to list (and therefore instal) the command line tools:

# touch /tmp/.com.apple.dt.CommandLineTools.installondemand.in-progress
# softwareupdate -l
Software Update Tool
 
Finding available software
Software Update found the following new or updated software:
* Label: Command Line Tools for Xcode-12.4
    Title: Command Line Tools for Xcode, Version: 12.4, Size: 440392K, Recommended: YES,
* Label: Command Line Tools for Xcode-13.2
    Title: Command Line Tools for Xcode, Version: 13.2, Size: 577329K, Recommended: YES, 
* Label: Command Line Tools for Xcode-12.5
    Title: Command Line Tools for Xcode, Version: 12.5, Size: 470966K, Recommended: YES,
* Label: Command Line Tools for Xcode-12.5
    Title: Command Line Tools for Xcode, Version: 12.5, Size: 470820K, Recommended: YES,
* Label: macOS Big Sur 11.6.2-20G314

Note that more than one version may be returned.  If Xcode is installed a version may already be in place, so care should be taken if Xcode is already installed.  After installing the chosen version, the temporary file created may then be removed.

Instal Python Packages

Python scripts import packages, not all of which will be installed by default.  Any additional packages will require installation.  PIP may achieve this and may be used in a Fileset script; PIP is also installed when installing the Command Line tools (or Xcode)

It is possible to check pip with the following command, note it may require upgrading, but again take careful consideration if Xcode is installed:

# pip3 list
Package    Version
---------- -------
pip        20.2.3
setuptools 49.2.1
six        1.15.0
wheel      0.33.1
WARNING: You are using pip version 20.2.3; however, version 23.1.2 is available.
You should consider upgrading via the '/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/usr/bin/python3 -m pip install --upgrade pip' command.

For example, to instal pyobjc:

# Instal pyobjc
pip3 install pyobjc-core
pip3 install pyobjc-framework-Cocoa
pip3 install pyobjc-framework-Quartz
pip3 install pyobjc-framework-SystemConfiguration

In some instances, pip3 may fail.  This can be due to the link created in:
/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/SDKs
Remove and recreate the link to the correct installed version if need be.

The above could be packaged into a single script which could:

• Touch the temporary file
• Run Software Update
• Obtain the desired version from the list
• Instal that version
• Remove the temporary file
• Remove the link if incorrect
• Use PIP to instal other desired packages
• Recreate the link if removed above

1. Download the appropriate python installer EXE
2. Create a new empty Fileset
3. Choose a location to store the installer and drag the EXE into this location
4. Highlight this EXE and from the Get Info window choose Executable 
5. Tick the option to 'Execute once when activated'
6. Set two Launch Arguments as per the screen shot: /quiet and .\unattend.xml

Supporting File

An unattend.xml file may be used to pre-determine aspects of the installation, e.g. instal PIP during installation or set Paths

1. Use an editor to create a file called unattend.xml
2. Edit this file with the below details, editing to meet desired needs
3. Place this file in the Fileset within the same folder location as the EXE installer

An example could look as follows (see the Python documentation for a list and description of available options):

<Options>
<Option Name="InstallAllUsers" Value="1" />
<Option Name="TargetDir" Value="C:\Program Files\Python39" />
<Option Name="DefaultAllUsersTargetDir" Value="C:\Program Files\Python39" />
<Option Name="DefaultJustForMeTargetDir" Value="C:\Program Files\Python39" />
<Option Name="DefaultCustomTargetDir" Value="C:\Program Files\Python39" />
<Option Name="AssociateFiles" Value="1" />
<Option Name="CompileAll" Value="1" />
<Option Name="PrependPath" Value="1" />
<Option Name="Shortcuts" Value="1" />
<Option Name="Include_doc" Value="1" />
<Option Name="Include_debug" Value="1" />
<Option Name="Include_dev" Value="1" />
<Option Name="Include_exe" Value="1" />
<Option Name="Include_launcher" Value="1" />
<Option Name="InstallLauncherAllUsers" Value="1" />
<Option Name="Include_lib" Value="1" />
<Option Name="Include_pip" Value="1" />
<Option Name="Include_symbols" Value="1" />
<Option Name="Include_tcltk" Value="1" />
<Option Name="Include_test" Value="1" />
<Option Name="Include_tools" Value="1" />
<Option Name="LauncherOnly" Value="0" />
<Option Name="SimpleInstall" Value="0" />
<Option Name="SimpleInstallDescription"></Option>
</Options>

Edit the above example as desired, for example, set the target directory paths as desired.

Instal Python Packages

Python scripts import packages, not all of which will be installed by default.  Any additional packages will require installation.  PIP may achieve this and may be used in a post flight script, if the option above to include pip at installation was configured.

1. Create a PostFlight script within the Fileset
2. Edit the script to include any desired packages, e.g. to instal the 'requests' package:

python -m pip install requests

The command 'pip list' may be used to list ALL additional packages installed.
The command 'pip freeze' may be used to list packages installed by PIP.

The final Fileset will may look something like:

Packages, including PIP itself, may require updating over time.