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Python 3.12 removed distutils from the standard library.

The Claim

Python 3.12 removed the distutils package from the Python standard library.

Verified by Lenz ·

The Short Version

Official Python documentation confirms that Python 3.12 removed distutils from the standard library, as planned under PEP 632. Setuptools may still provide a compatible, third-party implementation, but that does not affect the claim’s accuracy.

Caveats

  • A distutils implementation may still be available through the third-party setuptools package.
  • The removal applies to Python 3.12 and later, not earlier Python releases.

The Receipts

  1. PEP 632 – Deprecate distutils module - Python Enhancement Proposals

    peps.python.org

  2. What's New In Python 3.12 — Python 3.14.7 documentation

    docs.python.org

  3. 3.12.rst

    docs.python.org

  4. PEP 632: Remove the distutils package (Python 3.12)

    github.com

  5. peps/pep-0632.rst

    github.com

  6. distutils — Building and installing Python modules — Python 3.14.7 ...

    docs.python.org

  7. raw.githubusercontent.com

    raw.githubusercontent.com

  8. Changes/Python3.12 - Fedora Project Wiki

    fedoraproject.org

  9. PEP 632 - Deprecate distutils module - PEPs - Discussions on Python.org

    discuss.python.org

  10. [Python-announce] Python 3.12.0 (final) now available.

    mail-archive.com

+ 6 more sources — see the full list on Lenz

Filed Under

DistutilsPython 3.12Python Standard Library

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