Documented sdist building method isn't working

[itamarst]

Bug Description

In previous versions, e.g. 0.12.6, and as documented (https://maturin.rs/distribution.html), one could run maturin build --intepreter with no additional argument and it would create an sdist tarball.

With 0.12.9, however, I get an error:

$ maturin build --interpreter
error: The argument '--interpreter <INTERPRETER>' requires a value but none was supplied

Your Python version (python -V)

3.9.7

Your pip version (pip -V)

21.2.4

What bindings you're using

pyo3

Does cargo build work?

• Yes, it works

If on windows, have you checked that you aren't accidentally using unix path (those with the forward slash /)?

• Yes

Steps to Reproduce

Add appropriate sdist metadata to pyproject.toml, then run maturin build --interpreter. With 0.12.6 it works, with 0.12.9 it doesn't.

[messense]

Thanks for reporting, looks like a regression from the clap 3.0 upgrade.

But I think using maturin build -i to build only sdist is kinda odd, and there is also a maturin sdist command. The problem with maturin build -i is that it assumes Python extension while maturin also supports building bin bindings which doesn't require Python at all.

[itamarst]

AH, so this is a documentation issue, then. Specifically https://github.com/PyO3/maturin/blob/main/guide/src/distribution.md?plain=1#L14 should mention maturin sdist instead of what it says now.

[messense]

@konstin What do you think? Do we still want to support building sdist-only via maturin build -i?

[konstin]

I have no strong opinions, except that I think that the docs should point to maturin sdist

[messense]

I've updated the docs. Let's keep this issue open until we remove or bring back support for maturin build -i.