Can you explain what the Python wheels package format is and what it is used for?

Python wheels are a package format with the extension .whl, used for distributing and installing Python libraries.

Main features and purposes of wheels:

• Wheels are pre-compiled packages that contain compiled code and metadata.
• They allow for quick and easy installation of libraries without the need to compile source code on the target machine.
• The format is standardized and supported by the pip tool.
• Using wheels speeds up the installation process and reduces errors related to compilation.

Example of installing a package from a wheel:

pip install some_package.whl

Thus, wheels simplify and accelerate the distribution of Python packages.