[BUG] setuptools._distutils.util.byte_compile indirect requires distutils

[s-t-e-v-e-n-k]

setuptools version

setuptools==69.0.2

Python version

Python 3.12

OS

openSUSE Tumbleweed

Additional environment information

No response

Description

While trying to install setuptools itself, we fail due to no distutils. This may belong under https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/milestone/8

Expected behavior

Indirect byte compilation should succeed with Python 3.12.

How to Reproduce

python3.12 setup.py install --skip-build

Output

setup-py-install-failure.txt

[bnavigator]

This is only relevant for deprecated setup.py builds. Proper PEP517 usage does not exhibit the failure.

[abravalheri]

Ok, looks like a bootstrap issue...
Probably it would go away if we add a import setuptools at the top of the command used to compile the byte compilation...

I suppose if you add the --no-compile option, things install correctly too, right?