Characterizing and detecting Python version incompatibilities caused by inconsistent version specifications

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Shuo Li, Haocheng Gao, Wei Chen, Yi Li, Haoxiang Tian, Chengwei Liu, Dan Ye

Published: 01 Jan 2025, Last Modified: 26 Jul 2025J. Syst. Softw. 2025EveryoneRevisionsBibTeXCC BY-SA 4.0
Abstract: Highlights•We conducted the first study on Python distribution version errors in top 3,000 TPLs.•Around 10% of TPLs had errors, causing installation failures and runtime issues.•We developed PyChecker to detect errors, find root causes, and suggest fixes.•PyChecker found 842 TPLs with errors; 61.5% of reported cases were fixed.•We provide PyChecker and evaluation data for replication and further research.