Python · Virtual Environments

Why is sudo pip install into the system Python for your project's dependencies considered the cardinal venv sin, even though it 'just works'?

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More in Virtual Environments

Two projects on one machine need different versions of the same library (project A needs Django 3, project B needs Django 5). Why is one system-wide Python a problem, and what fixes it?

You run python -m venv test_environment and then immediately run python test.py. Which Python and packages does it use — the new environment's, or the system's?

What does activating a virtual environment actually do to your shell?

On Windows the Unix command source myenv/bin/activate doesn't work. What's the correct way to activate the env there?

With an environment active, you run pip install setuptools. Where does the package get installed?

You're done working in an environment and want your shell back to the system Python. What's the right way — and is there a Windows-vs-Unix difference?