Python

Install and manage Python locally (Windows, macOS, Linux) using official installers, system packages, or pyenv; create virtual environments.

🧾 Overview

Python is used for bots, APIs, automation, scripting, and data tasks. Local installation allows you to install dependencies and test before deploying to Discloud.

Welcome to Python.orgPython.org

📥 Installation

Download the latest Python 3 installer from https://www.python.org/downloads/

Check "Add Python to PATH" and complete installation.

Reopen terminal and verify

python --version
pip -V

Create optional virtual environment

python -m venv .venv
.venv\\Scripts\\activate
pip install --upgrade pip

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y python3 python3-pip python3-venv
python3 --version
pip3 -V
python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate

sudo dnf install -y python3 python3-pip
python3 --version
pip3 -V
python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate

sudo pacman -S --needed python python-pip
python --version
pip -V
python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate

Dependencies (Debian example):

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y build-essential libssl-dev zlib1g-dev \
libncurses5-dev libffi-dev libbz2-dev libreadline-dev libsqlite3-dev \
liblzma-dev wget curl

Install & configure:

curl https://pyenv.run | bash
echo 'export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"' >> ~/.bashrc
echo 'command -v pyenv >/dev/null || export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
echo 'eval "$(pyenv init -)"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc
pyenv install 3.12.4
pyenv global 3.12.4
python --version

Download from python.org and run, then:

python3 --version
pip3 -V

brew update
brew install python
python3 --version
pip3 -V

✅ Verification

python --version
pip -V

If distro uses python3, substitute accordingly.

If your distribution uses python3 invoke that instead of python.

🗂 Virtual Environments

What it is: A virtual environment is an isolated directory tree containing its own Python interpreter and installed packages, separate from your global (system) Python.

Why use it:

Keeps project dependencies isolated (one project can use requests==2.31, another requests==2.29).
Avoids needing administrator / system-wide installs.
Prevents accidental conflicts with OS packages or other projects.
Makes requirements.txt reflect only what the project actually needs (reproducibility when deploying or sharing).
Lets you test upgrades safely (create a new env, install, compare behavior).

Create & activate:

python -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate  # Windows: .venv\\Scripts\\activate

Install dependencies & capture versions:

pip install -r requirements.txt
pip freeze > requirements.txt

🔄 Updating

Task

Command

Upgrade pip

python -m pip install --upgrade pip

Upgrade a package

pip install <name> --upgrade

Install new Python (pyenv)

pyenv install <version>

🗃 Common Commands

pip install requests
pip list
pip freeze > requirements.txt
python main.py
python -m venv .venv

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Last updated 11 months ago