python,

Create, manage and remove virtual environments in Python

Nov 19, 2022 · 3 mins read · Post a comment

Dependency issues are common among every popular programming language out there including Python. Simply put, when working on multiple projects a certain package might be required by multiple projects with different version. In Python this is handled by using virtual environments.

Prerequisites

  • Python 3
  • pip

Solution(s)

First, make sure pip is installed.

python -m ensurepip --upgrade

Now, you have two options: pipenv and virtualenv.

pipenv

Think of pipenv as a similar tool to Node.js npm, or Ruby’s bundler. It’s a dependency manager that simplifies the dependencies in most cases. Recommended to starts with.

create and initiate environment

Step 1. Install pipenv.

pip install --user pipenv

Step 2. Create a project directory.

mkdir project1

Step 3. Initiate the virtual environment.

pipenv --three

Step 4. Start the virtual env.

pipenv shell

manage packages

To install any package, run:

pipenv install <package>

If you need specific version, run:

pipenv install <package=version>

To install packages from a .txt file usually named requirements.txt, run:

pipenv install -r requirements.txt

View installed packages / dependencies using one of the following commands:

pipenv graph
pipenv run pip list

Related: Python: pip list vs pip freeze (-all).

Uninstall a package:

pipenv uninstall <package>

exit environment

Exit from the virtual env by typing:

exit

remove environment

To delete the virtual env, run:

pinenv --rm

In case of any leftover files, execute rm -rf against the pipenv --venv output.

virtualenv

However, virtualenv is more of a low-level tool, probably a lightweight one.

install and initiate environment

Step 1. Install virtualenv.

pip install --user virtualenv

Step 2. Create a project directory.

virtualenv venv

Step 3. Initiate the virtual environment.

source venv/bin/activate

manage packages

Install any package with:

pip install <package>

If you need specific version, run:

pip install <package=version>

In case you have a requirements.txt file, run:

pip install -r requirements.txt

To remove any package, run:

pip uninstall <package>

To uninstall anything from requirements.txt, run:

pip uninstall -r requirements.txt

exit environment

Exit from the virtual env by running:

deactivate

remove environment

If you want to delete the environment as well, run:

rm -rf venv

Conclusion

Strongly recommended not to apply it in a production environment. Feel free to leave a comment below and if you find this tutorial useful, follow our official channel on Telegram.