[Python 3 Virtual Env Basics] quick example of using python3 venv to install tools and stuff in a self-contained virtual env in the current project directory #python #windows

README.md

Getting Started Tips for Windows & Terminal

• don't use cmd prompt for anything, use PowerShell
• install latest windows terminal from store, don't use default terminals, they are terrible and less featured.
• Suggest installing PowerShell 7 as your normal windows base terminal to use.
• Install Scoop to make this super easy to install. scoop install pwsh
• Open pwsh (PowerShell 7) as your default in Terminal

Use Py

With windows use py as it picks the right path automatically.

Virtual Env

Isolates your installs to local project directory to avoid conflicts with other projects. Always a good practice.

TIP: Best practice, though takes practice, is to try and use Docker, as it's true containerized experience. Try codespaces (VSCode supported) or GitPod.io (browser based UI) to get started much more quickly.

Create a virtual env (just a folder to store all the tools)

py -3 -m venv venv --copies;

Activate the local env

.\venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

Upgrade tooling in the virtual directory

py -3.8 -m pip install --upgrade pip

Install a library

pip3 install pandas

Freeze requirements

pip3 freeze > requirements.txt

TIP: Poetry is a wrapper that makes this nicer. Might look at it in near future.