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gh-118860: docs: clarify custom build output directory in PCbuild/readme.txt #153382

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20 changes: 20 additions & 0 deletions PCbuild/readme.txt
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Expand Up @@ -105,6 +105,26 @@ the 32-bit Win32 platform. It accepts several arguments to change
this behavior, try `build.bat -h` to learn more.


Custom Output Directory
-----------------------

If you want to move the build outputs to a different directory, do not use the
standard MSBuild `/p:OutDir=` property, as CPython has many assumptions about
where the source repository is relative to the built files. Instead, you can
override the output directory by setting `Py_OutDir` as an environment
variable or by passing it to build.bat (for example,
`build.bat "/p:Py_OutDir=C:\MyOutput"`).

However, be aware that the compiled binaries probably won't run directly from
that location. If you want to make an install-shaped layout without creating the
installer, build CPython normally first, and then use the `PC/layout` script
with the runtime you just built, or using the `--build` and `--source` options
to specify the directories:
python.bat PC/layout --<options>
Use `-h` with that command to see all available options for customizing the
layout.


C Runtime
---------

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