.WHL File Extension

Python Wheel Package

A WHL (Wheel) file is a Python distribution package format that contains all the files and metadata needed to install Python software. It functions as a ready-to-install package, eliminating the need to rebuild source code during installation. WHL files are essentially ZIP archives that hold Python code, dependencies, and installation information in a standardized format.

The Wheel format was introduced in PEP 427 (Python Enhancement Proposal), authored by Daniel Holth and accepted by the Python community in 2012. It was developed as an improvement over previous distribution methods.

WHL files serve as a more efficient way to distribute and install Python packages:

• Installation: Unlike source distributions that require building before installation, WHL files only need to be moved to the correct location on the target system.
• Package management: Python package managers like pip can directly install software from WHL files.
• Distribution: Developers use WHL files to share their Python packages with others in a ready-to-install format.

Types of WHL files

There are three main types of WHL files:

1. Universal Wheel: Contains only Python files with no compiled extensions and natively supports both Python 2 and 3.
2. Pure Python Wheel: Contains only Python files without compiled extensions but doesn't natively support both Python 2 and 3.
3. Platform Wheel: Contains Python files and compiled extensions specific to a particular platform (like Windows or macOS).

WHL file naming convention

WHL files follow a specific naming pattern:

{dist}-{version}(-{build})?-{python}-{abi}-{platform}.whl

For example: cryptography-2.9.2-cp35-abi3-macosx_10_9_x86_64.whl

• cryptography: Package name
• 2.9.2: Package version
• cp35: Python implementation and version tag
• abi3: Application Binary Interface tag
• macosx_10_9_x86_64: Platform tag

How to Open .WHL as Python Wheel Package

WHL files can be:

1. Viewed as archives: Since they use ZIP compression, you can open them with standard decompression tools like WinZIP, WinRAR, or the unzip command.
2. Examined with Python tools: You can use Python code editors to review, open, and modify WHL files, taking advantage of syntax highlighting and error checking.

Python code editors provide additional benefits when working with WHL files:

• Syntax highlighting and error detection
• Access to support libraries
• Better readability and optimization of code
• Support for XML specifications for complex hierarchical models

How to Convert an WHL File

WHL files themselves aren't typically converted to other formats, but different types of Python package formats can be interconverted:

• Source distributions (.tar.gz) can be built into wheel files using tools like pip wheel or setup.py bdist_wheel
• The contents of a WHL file can be extracted to examine or modify them before repackaging

Advantages of WHL files

• Faster and more reliable installation compared to rebuilding source code
• No build step required during installation
• Clearly defined metadata about Python versions and platform compatibility
• Compressed format for efficient storage and transfer

WHL files are not compatible with mobile environments and GUIs (neither Google nor Apple-based).

Applications That Open WHL Files

Windows Apps for WHL Files:

• 7-Zip Free
• WinZip Free Trial
• RARLAB WinRAR Free Trial

macOS Apps for WHL Files:

• 7-Zip Free
• WinZip Free Trial
• RARLAB WinRAR Free Trial

Linux Apps for WHL Files:

• 7-Zip Free
• RARLAB WinRAR Free Trial

iOS Apps for WHL Files:

• WinZip Free Trial

Android Apps for WHL Files:

• WinZip Free Trial
• RARLAB WinRAR Free Trial