Introduction

A virtual environment (venv) in Python allows developers to create an isolated workspace for their projects. This ensures dependencies do not conflict between different projects. In this guide, you’ll learn how to create, activate, and manage a virtual environment in Python on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Step 1: Install Python (If Not Installed)

Before setting up a virtual environment, ensure you have Python installed. You can check by running:

python --version

If Python is not installed, follow this guide to install it or visit python official site.

Step 2: Create a Virtual Environment

Navigate to your project directory and run the following command:

python -m venv myenv

This will create a virtual environment named myenv in the current directory.

Step 3: Activate the Virtual Environment

On Windows:

myenv\Scripts\activate

On macOS/Linux:

source myenv/bin/activate

Once activated, your terminal prompt will change to indicate the virtual environment is active.

Step 4: Install Dependencies

After activation, install dependencies using pip:

pip install package_name

For example, to install Flask:

pip install flask

Step 5: Deactivate the Virtual Environment

To exit the virtual environment, simply run:

deactivate

Step 6: Delete a Virtual Environment

If you no longer need the virtual environment, delete its folder:

rm -rf myenv  # macOS/Linux
rd /s /q myenv  # Windows

Conclusion

Using a virtual environment in Python is crucial for managing dependencies effectively. It keeps your projects organized and avoids conflicts between different package versions. Start using venv today and streamline your Python development! 🚀