How to create Python virtual environments?

Install Python's Virtual Environment Module

• First, ensure you have Python installed on your system. Check this by running python --version in your command line.

 

• If you don’t have the virtual environment module, install it using pip: pip install virtualenv.

Create a Directory for Your Project

• Organize your development by creating a directory to store your project and virtual environment. For example, use mkdir my_project and then navigate into it using cd my_project.

Create the Virtual Environment

• Within your project directory, create a virtual environment using the command: python -m venv my_env where my_env can be replaced with your desired environment name.

Activate the Virtual Environment

• To start using the virtual environment, activate it. On Windows, use: my_env\Scripts\activate. On Unix or MacOS, use: source my_env/bin/activate.

 

• Once activated, your command prompt should change to show the name of the virtual environment, indicating it is active.

Install Packages Within the Virtual Environment

• With the environment activated, you can now install packages using pip. For instance: pip install requests installs the Requests library exclusively within the virtual environment.

 

• Verify installed packages with: pip list.

Deactivate the Virtual Environment

• When you are done working in the virtual environment, deactivate it by simply typing: deactivate. Your command prompt will return to its normal state, indicating you have exited the environment.

Remove a Virtual Environment

• If you need to delete the virtual environment, you can do so by deleting the associated directory, for example: rm -rf my_env on Unix or MacOS, or rmdir /s my_env on Windows.