Python's strength is its packages, and pip is how you get them.
Direct answer
pip is Python's package installer. Run pip install name to add a library, pip uninstall name to remove one and pip list to see what is installed. Use it inside a virtual environment to keep projects separate.
Everyday commands
pip install requests
pip install requests==2.31.0
pip install --upgrade requests
pip uninstall requests
pip list
pip show requests
Requirements files
pip freeze > requirements.txt
pip install -r requirements.txt
Common problems
- "pip is not recognised": use
python -m pip install .... - Permission errors: use a virtual environment instead of installing system-wide.
- Wrong Python version: check with
python --versionandpip --version.
Where Teyro fits
Teyro's Python for Beginners course turns this into short lessons you can play in a few minutes a day. It has 120 lessons, and you can start free.
The bottom line
pip plus a virtual environment is the standard way to manage Python libraries. See virtual environments.
