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The document provides an overview of Python packaging tools, including pip, venv, and virtualenv, which facilitate the installation and management of Python packages. It details how to create virtual environments, install packages, and handle common installation issues, particularly for different operating systems. Additionally, it highlights the evolution of packaging standards and the role of the Python Packaging Authority in maintaining these tools.

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10 views3 pages

TCC Keyterms

The document provides an overview of Python packaging tools, including pip, venv, and virtualenv, which facilitate the installation and management of Python packages. It details how to create virtual environments, install packages, and handle common installation issues, particularly for different operating systems. Additionally, it highlights the evolution of packaging standards and the role of the Python Packaging Authority in maintaining these tools.

Uploaded by

xacabo4439
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Key terms

pip is the preferred installer program. Starting with Python 3.4, it is included by
default with the Python binary installers.

A virtual environment is a semi-isolated Python environment that allows packages to


be installed for use by a particular application, rather than being installed
system wide.

venv is the standard tool for creating virtual environments, and has been part of
Python since Python 3.3. Starting with Python 3.4, it defaults to installing pip
into all created virtual environments.

virtualenv is a third party alternative (and predecessor) to venv. It allows


virtual environments to be used on versions of Python prior to 3.4, which either
don’t provide venv at all, or aren’t able to automatically install pip into created
environments.

The Python Packaging Index is a public repository of open source licensed packages
made available for use by other Python users.

the Python Packaging Authority is the group of developers and documentation authors
responsible for the maintenance and evolution of the standard packaging tools and
the associated metadata and file format standards. They maintain a variety of
tools, documentation, and issue trackers on both GitHub and Bitbucket.

distutils is the original build and distribution system first added to the Python
standard library in 1998. While direct use of distutils is being phased out, it
still laid the foundation for the current packaging and distribution
infrastructure, and it not only remains part of the standard library, but its name
lives on in other ways (such as the name of the mailing list used to coordinate
Python packaging standards development).

Deprecated since version 3.6: pyvenv was the recommended tool for creating virtual
environments for Python 3.3 and 3.4, and is deprecated in Python 3.6.

Changed in version 3.5: The use of venv is now recommended for creating virtual
environments.

See also Python Packaging User Guide: Creating and using virtual environments
Basic usage
The standard packaging tools are all designed to be used from the command line.

The following command will install the latest version of a module and its
dependencies from the Python Packaging Index:

python -m pip install SomePackage


Note For POSIX users (including Mac OS X and Linux users), the examples in this
guide assume the use of a virtual environment.
For Windows users, the examples in this guide assume that the option to adjust the
system PATH environment variable was selected when installing Python.

It’s also possible to specify an exact or minimum version directly on the command
line. When using comparator operators such as >, < or some other special character
which get interpreted by shell, the package name and the version should be enclosed
within double quotes:

python -m pip install SomePackage==1.0.4 # specific version


python -m pip install "SomePackage>=1.0.4" # minimum version
Normally, if a suitable module is already installed, attempting to install it again
will have no effect. Upgrading existing modules must be requested explicitly:

python -m pip install --upgrade SomePackage


More information and resources regarding pip and its capabilities can be found in
the Python Packaging User Guide.

Creation of virtual environments is done through the venv module. Installing


packages into an active virtual environment uses the commands shown above.

See also Python Packaging User Guide: Installing Python Distribution Packages
How do I …?
These are quick answers or links for some common tasks.

… install pip in versions of Python prior to Python 3.4?


Python only started bundling pip with Python 3.4. For earlier versions, pip needs
to be “bootstrapped” as described in the Python Packaging User Guide.

See also Python Packaging User Guide: Requirements for Installing Packages
… install packages just for the current user?
Passing the --user option to python -m pip install will install a package just for
the current user, rather than for all users of the system.

… install scientific Python packages?


A number of scientific Python packages have complex binary dependencies, and aren’t
currently easy to install using pip directly. At this point in time, it will often
be easier for users to install these packages by other means rather than attempting
to install them with pip.

See also Python Packaging User Guide: Installing Scientific Packages


… work with multiple versions of Python installed in parallel?
On Linux, Mac OS X, and other POSIX systems, use the versioned Python commands in
combination with the -m switch to run the appropriate copy of pip:

python2 -m pip install SomePackage # default Python 2


python2.7 -m pip install SomePackage # specifically Python 2.7
python3 -m pip install SomePackage # default Python 3
python3.4 -m pip install SomePackage # specifically Python 3.4
Appropriately versioned pip commands may also be available.

On Windows, use the py Python launcher in combination with the -m switch:

py -2 -m pip install SomePackage # default Python 2


py -2.7 -m pip install SomePackage # specifically Python 2.7
py -3 -m pip install SomePackage # default Python 3
py -3.4 -m pip install SomePackage # specifically Python 3.4
Common installation issues
Installing into the system Python on Linux
On Linux systems, a Python installation will typically be included as part of the
distribution. Installing into this Python installation requires root access to the
system, and may interfere with the operation of the system package manager and
other components of the system if a component is unexpectedly upgraded using pip.

On such systems, it is often better to use a virtual environment or a per-user


installation when installing packages with pip.

Pip not installed


It is possible that pip does not get installed by default. One potential fix is:
python -m ensurepip --default-pip
There are also additional resources for installing pip.

Installing binary extensions


Python has typically relied heavily on source based distribution, with end users
being expected to compile extension modules from source as part of the installation
process.

With the introduction of support for the binary wheel format, and the ability to
publish wheels for at least Windows and Mac OS X through the Python Packaging
Index, this problem is expected to diminish over time, as users are more regularly
able to install pre-built extensions rather than needing to build them themselves.

Some of the solutions for installing scientific software that are not yet available
as pre-built wheel files may also help with obtaining other binary extensions
without needing to build them locally.

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