commands/sysadmin/python/python-env-setup.md

Set up and manage Python virtual environments.

Your task:

1. Determine best approach for the project:

   • venv (built-in, lightweight)
   • virtualenv (more features)
   • conda (data science, complex dependencies)
   • poetry (modern dependency management)
   • pipenv (Pipfile-based)

2. Create virtual environment:

   # Using venv
   python3 -m venv venv
   source venv/bin/activate  # Linux/Mac
   venv\Scripts\activate     # Windows
   
   # Using conda
   conda create -n myenv python=3.11
   conda activate myenv
   

3. Manage dependencies:

   # Install packages
   pip install -r requirements.txt
   
   # Generate requirements
   pip freeze > requirements.txt
   
   # For conda
   conda env export > environment.yml
   

4. Best practices:

   • Never install packages globally
   • Use requirements.txt or environment.yml
   • Pin versions for reproducibility
   • Separate dev and production dependencies
   • Add venv/ to .gitignore

5. Project setup guidance:

   • Create virtual environment
   • Install dependencies
   • Configure IDE to use environment
   • Document setup process in README

Help users establish proper Python environment isolation and dependency management.