distro

library1.9.0pypypi✓ verified 52d ago

Distro is a Python library that provides information about the operating system distribution it runs on, such as a reliable machine-readable ID and version information. It serves as a recommended replacement for Python's original platform.linux_distribution function, which was removed in Python 3.8. The current version is 1.9.0, released on October 5, 2023. The library is actively maintained with a stable release cadence, with the latest release being v1.9.0.

devops

pip install distro

github ↗package ↗

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

tested against v1.9.0 · pip install

no network on importno background threads

Install × environment matrix

Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux

musl

py 3.10–3.925 runs

installs and imports cleanly · install 0.0s · import 0.058s · 17.9MB

glibc

py 3.10–3.925 runs

installs and imports cleanly · install 1.5s · import 0.048s · 18MB

16MB installed

● package 16MB

Code

Verified usage

Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.

distro

✓ import distro

Ensure correct import path to access the library's functions.

A simple script to print the distribution ID, version, and name using the Distro library.

import distro print(distro.id()) print(distro.version()) print(distro.name())

Debug

Known issues

breakingThe platform.linux_distribution function was removed in Python 3.8. Distro serves as its recommended replacement.

fix

Use Distro's id(), version(), and name() functions instead.

affects: >=3.8

deprecatedPython 2.7, 3.4, and 3.5 support was deprecated in Distro v1.6.0.

fix

Upgrade to Python 3.6 or later.

affects: >=1.6.0

gotchaRunning pip as the 'root' user can result in broken permissions and conflicting behaviour with the system package manager, possibly rendering your system unusable. It is recommended to use a virtual environment instead.

fix

Use a virtual environment instead (https://pip.pypa.io/warnings/venv). If running pip as root is intentional and its implications are understood, use the --root-user-action option to suppress this warning.

affects: >=3.6

Errors

Common errors & fixes

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'distro'

The 'distro' library has not been installed in your Python environment or is not accessible within your current Python path.

fix

Install the 'distro' library using pip: `pip install distro`

AttributeError: module 'platform' has no attribute 'linux_distribution'

The `platform.linux_distribution()` function was deprecated in Python 3.5 and removed in Python 3.8, and code or dependencies are still attempting to use it. The `distro` library is its recommended replacement.

fix

Install the 'distro' library (`pip install distro`) and replace calls to `platform.linux_distribution()` with `distro.linux_distribution()`, or preferably with `distro.id()`, `distro.name()`, and `distro.version()` for more granular information.

distro.linux_distribution() is deprecated

The `distro.linux_distribution()` function itself has been deprecated in `distro` version 1.6.0 and later, in favor of more specific accessor functions.

fix

Replace `distro.linux_distribution()` calls with `distro.id()`, `distro.version()`, and `distro.name()` to retrieve specific distribution information.

AttributeError: module 'distro' has no attribute 'id'

This error typically occurs if an older version of the `distro` library is installed that does not yet include the `id()` (or `version()`, `name()`) consolidated accessor functions, or if there is a typo in the function call.

fix

Ensure you have a recent version of the `distro` library installed: `pip install --upgrade distro`. If the error persists, double-check the function name for typos.

AttributeError: module 'distro' has no attribute 'linux_distribution'

The `distro` library's API does not include a `linux_distribution` method; it uses distinct methods like `id()` or `name()`.

fix

Replace `distro.linux_distribution()` with appropriate `distro` API calls such as `distro.id()`, `distro.name()`, or `distro.version()`.

Upgrade

Version history

1.9.0latest on PyPI

Audit

Dependencies

platformrequiredProvides access to underlying platform information; required for functionality.

Agent activity

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Resources

githubhttps://github.com/python-distro/distro ↗

packagehttps://pypi.org/project/distro/ ↗