Creating package installer in OS X - install Python, NumPy and other dependencies

Question

I want to create a native Mac OS X package installer, the creation of the package is not really the problem, the real deal is the dependencies that have to get installed; I need to install Python, NumPy and Matplotlib (only if the required versions are not already installed).

I have heard really bad things about the Package Maker app, I've been reading a little and have already even found a nice tutorial although it is quite outdated. As a reference, here's Apple's reference guide.

I imagine I would have to use the uncompiled source provided from each of these three projects.

It would really help me to see the PackageMaker file that is used to create the official Python installer, if such file is available somewhere, please point me to it.

Anyway:

What would be the best way to do this? Is using a PackageMaker silly for this purpose? Any other literature that would help me?

Extra:

What would be the easiest way to test my installers?

Answer 1

I'm assuming that you want to install the packages that you mentioned because you are developing a Python application. Have you looked at PyInstaller? It "converts (packages) Python programs into stand-alone executables, under Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris and AIX", so you don't have to worry about what's installed on the target system.

And if you use PyInstaller, the "extra" would be easy. Simply copy the resulting executable to any other machine and test it out by executing it.