pip3
Install Python packages
TLDR
Install a package
Install a specific version of a package
Upgrade a package
Uninstall a package
Save the list of installed packages to a file
Install packages from a file
Show installed package info
SYNOPSIS
pip3 command [options]
PARAMETERS
install
Install packages from PyPI or a local file. Can specify package names directly, or provide a requirements file.
uninstall
Uninstall one or more packages.
list
List installed packages.
show
Show information about installed packages.
search
Search PyPI for packages matching a query.
download
Download packages without installing them.
wheel
Build wheels from your requirements.
hash
Compute hashes of package archives.
completion
A helper command used for command completion.
help
Show help for commands.
-v, --verbose
Give more output.
-q, --quiet
Give less output.
--no-cache-dir
Disable caching of wheels and HTTP responses.
-r, --requirement
Install from the given requirements file.
-U, --upgrade
Upgrade all specified packages to the newest available version.
DESCRIPTION
pip3 is a package management system used to install and manage software packages written in Python. It's specifically designed for Python 3 environments. pip3 connects to the Python Package Index (PyPI), a repository of thousands of third-party Python modules.
It allows you to easily download, install, upgrade, and uninstall packages, resolving dependencies automatically. pip3 simplifies the process of adding external functionality to your Python projects, enabling you to leverage existing code and libraries rather than writing everything from scratch. It uses the 'wheel' format for installations, promoting faster and more reliable package deployments.
Using pip3 promotes code reusability and makes Python development faster and more efficient by streamlining package management. It's an essential tool for any Python 3 developer.
CAVEATS
Requires Python 3 to be installed. Must be used with the correct Python version (pip for Python 2, pip3 for Python 3). Requires network access to download packages from PyPI unless packages are locally available.
REQUIREMENTS FILES
Requirements files are plain text files that specify a list of packages and their versions to be installed. They are typically named 'requirements.txt'. You can install packages from a requirements file using 'pip3 install -r requirements.txt'.
VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS
It is highly recommended to use virtual environments when working with Python projects. Virtual environments isolate project dependencies, preventing conflicts between different projects. Use the 'venv' module (e.g., 'python3 -m venv myenv') to create virtual environments, and then activate them before using pip3.
HISTORY
pip emerged as a superior alternative to easy_install for Python package management. As Python 3 gained prominence, pip3 was created to specifically manage packages for Python 3 environments. The development of pip3 ensured compatibility and optimized package management within the Python 3 ecosystem. It addressed limitations of earlier tools and improved the overall developer experience by providing a more robust and user-friendly interface for managing Python packages.
SEE ALSO
python3(1), easy_install(1)