Python 3 – Environment Setup
Python is a high-level programming language that is widely used for various applications such as web development, machine learning, data analysis, and more. Python 3 is the latest version of Python, and it comes with a lot of new features and improvements than its previous versions. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up the Python 3 environment on your system.
Installing Python 3
First, you need to download the Python 3 installer from the official website of Python. You can either choose the Windows or MacOS version, depending upon your system’s OS. The download link is: https://www.python.org/downloads/
For Windows users, simply download the exe file and run it. For MacOS users, download the dmg file and double-click it to open the installer. Follow the on-screen instructions to install Python 3 on your system.
Running Python 3
Once you have installed Python 3, you can open a command prompt or terminal and type python3
to enter the Python interactive shell. You can also create a new Python file, let’s say main.py
, and write your Python code in it. To execute the code, simply type python3 main.py
in the command prompt or terminal.
Installing Python Packages
Python comes with a lot of built-in modules, but sometimes you might need additional functionalities that are not available in the standard library. In that case, you can use the pip
package manager to install third-party packages. Pip comes pre-installed with Python 3, so you don’t need to install it separately.
For example, to install the NumPy package, type pip install numpy
. The installation process might take some time depending upon the size of the package and your internet speed. Once the installation is complete, you can use NumPy in your Python code by importing it: import numpy as np
.
Virtual Environments
A virtual environment is an isolated Python environment that allows you to install packages and dependencies without affecting the global Python environment. Virtual environments come in handy when you are working on multiple projects with different dependencies.
To create a new virtual environment, first, install the venv
module by typing python3 -m venv myenv
in the command prompt or terminal. This will create a new directory named myenv
in the current working directory that contains the virtual environment.
To activate the virtual environment, type source myenv/bin/activate
(for MacOS or Linux) or myenv\Scripts\activate
(for Windows) in the command prompt or terminal. You will notice that the prompt changes to (myenv)
. This means that you are now working in the virtual environment.
To install packages in the virtual environment, simply use the pip
command as usual. To exit the virtual environment, type deactivate
.
Conclusion
Setting up the Python 3 environment is a straightforward process. You just need to download and install Python 3, and you are good to go. If you need additional packages, use the pip
package manager to install them. If you are working on multiple projects, use virtual environments to isolate dependencies. Happy coding!