PiP2Bitbake

This Python script allows to pre-install any Python pip (PyPI) (Python Package Index)- Packages within a final Yocto Project Linux Image.

In order to make this possible a Bitbake-file with all necessary information's (Version Number, Checksums,..) will be generated to allow Bitbake to include the chosen pip-package to the rootfs of the generated Yocto-Project Linux Distribution.

I developed this Python script to create rsYocto an embedded Linux for Intel SoC-FPGAs.

Features

• Python script to automatically create Bitbake recipe files for the Yocto Project to pre-install any Python pip package
• Almost every Python pip package can implemented into a custom Linux Distribution
  • Of cause, it is only necessary that the package is as a cross Platform version available
• Outputs a ".bb"-Bitbake recipe file that can easily included to any Yocto Project meta-layer
• Supported Python Package Index Version: 1-3
• Supported Python pip package archive file types: ".tar.gz" and ".zip"
• It is enabled to use URL/Link to a specific Python package version or to a custom Server

Guide to use this script

1. Pull this repository to your Yocto Project building machine
2. Be sure that Python pip 3 is installed on your development machine
   • To install that use on Ubuntu:

      sudo apt-get -y install python-pip

   • To install that use on CentOS:

      sudo yum install python-pip

3. Start the python script

    python3 makePipRecipes.py

4. Find a Python PyPI-package to include to the Yocto Project

5. Follow the instruction of the Python script

   • The script will ask for:

     1. The pip-package name (e.g. by pip install pyserial use "pyserial")

        • Be sure that the uppercase/lowercase of the string is exact (Case sensitive!)
        • Alternatively here it is enabled to insert a URL/Link to the package
          • Use the entire Link with the "http"- or "https"- pre-fix and with the file suffix
          • You can find the URLs to the package inside the "Download files" selection of the PyPI package website
          • For instance "pyserial" it would be: "https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/1e/7d/ae3f0a63f41e4d2f6cb66a5b57197850f919f59e558159a4dd3a818f5082/pyserial-3.5.tar.gz"
          • Note: ".whl" archive packages are not supported!

     2. For the required Python-Version

     3. For the Type of Licence (e.g. MIT) for recipe

6. The Python script will generate a ".bb"-Bitbake-file
   • Copy this file to your recipe folder
   • If you don't have a meta-layer create a new one
     • Execute following command inside your Yocto Project build Folder (poky/build)

       bitbake-layers create-layer meta-example

     • Include the new layer to your Yocto Project by adding following line to the poky/build/conf/bblayers.conf-file:

       /home/<user name>/poky/meta-example \

     • Copy the generated recipe file to your recipes:

       meta-example
       |- conf
       | - README
       |- recipes-test
        |- test
           |-GENERATED_BITBAKAE_FILE.bb

7. Include the Python pip package to your Yocto Build by adding following line to the poky/build/conf/local.conf-file

   IMAGE_INSTALL_append = "pip-PIPNAME"

8. To execute the implementation start the building process of the Yocto Project normally
   • For example with (inside poky/build):

     bitbake core-image-minimal

Example: Embedding the Python pip-package pyserial to the Yocto Project

Finally on the running Yocto-Project Linux Distribution ....

root@cyclone5:~# pip list
Package    Version
---------- -------
pyserial   3.4.0

is pyserialpre-installed

• rsyocto; Robin Sebastian,M.Sc. (LinkedIn)

Pip2BitBake and rsyocto are self-developed projects in which no other companies are involved. It is specifically designed to serve students and the Linux/FPGA open-source community with its publication on GitHub and its open-source MIT license. In the future, rsyocto will retain its open-source status and it will be further developed.

Due to the enthusiasm of commercial users, special features for industrial, scientific and automotive applications were developed and ready for the implementation in a highly optimazed closed commercial version. Partnerships as an embedded SoC-FPGA design service to fulfil these specific commercial requirements are offered. It should help, besides students with the rsyocto open-source version, commercial users, as well.

For commercial users, please visit the rsyocto embedded service provider website: rsyocto.com