Setting Up a Python Virtual Environment

Instructions for creating and managing a Python 3.10 virtual environment.

Author

Tom Abel

Published

January 2, 2025

1 Setting Up a Python 3.10 Virtual Environment

For this class, we will use a dedicated Python virtual environment with Python version 3.10. A virtual environment is an isolated space where you can manage dependencies specific to a project, without interfering with other Python installations on your system. Follow these steps to set up the environment:

1.1 Step 1: Verify Python 3.10 Installation

First, check if Python 3.10 is installed on your system. Open a terminal or command prompt and run:

python3.10 --version

If this returns something like Python 3.10.x, you’re good to go. If Python 3.10 is not installed, you can download it from the official Python website or use your system’s package manager to install it.

1.2 Step 2: Create a Virtual Environment

Navigate to a directory where you’d like to store your virtual environment. If you already have a class folder called 360 you may change into it and execute the commands below:

Then run:

python3.10 -m venv myenv

This command creates a new virtual environment named myenv in the current directory. Replace myenv with a name of your choice if desired.

1.3 Step 3: Activate the Virtual Environment

To activate the virtual environment: - On Linux/macOS:

source myenv/bin/activate

On Windows:

myenv\Scripts\activate

After activation, your terminal prompt will change to indicate that the virtual environment is active. All Python packages installed while the virtual environment is active will be isolated from your global Python installation.

1.4 Step 4: Install Required Packages

With the virtual environment activated, you can now install the required Python packages for this class. Use pip to install packages:

pip install numpy matplotlib scipy gala jax taichi plotly

1.5 Step 5: Deactivate the Virtual Environment

When you’re done working in the virtual environment, deactivate it by running:

deactivate

This will return your terminal to its normal state.

1.6 Notes

Always activate the virtual environment before running scripts for this class to ensure the correct Python version and dependencies are used.
If you ever need to delete the virtual environment, simply remove the myenv directory.

This process ensures an organized and isolated Python development environment, making it easier to manage dependencies for your coursework.

--- title: "Setting Up a Python Virtual Environment" description: "Instructions for creating and managing a Python 3.10 virtual environment." author: "Tom Abel" date: "2025-01-02" format: html: toc: true number-sections: true code-fold: true code-tools: true pdf: toc: true number-sections: true code: true --- ## Setting Up a Python 3.10 Virtual Environment For this class, we will use a dedicated Python virtual environment with Python version 3.10. A virtual environment is an isolated space where you can manage dependencies specific to a project, without interfering with other Python installations on your system. Follow these steps to set up the environment: ### Step 1: Verify Python 3.10 Installation First, check if Python 3.10 is installed on your system. Open a terminal or command prompt and run: ```bash python3.10 --version ``` If this returns something like `Python 3.10.x`, you're good to go. If Python 3.10 is not installed, you can download it from the [official Python website](https://www.python.org/downloads/) or use your system's package manager to install it. ### Step 2: Create a Virtual Environment Navigate to a directory where you'd like to store your virtual environment. If you already have a class folder called 360 you may change into it and execute the commands below: Then run: ```bash python3.10 -m venv myenv ``` This command creates a new virtual environment named `myenv` in the current directory. Replace `myenv` with a name of your choice if desired. ### Step 3: Activate the Virtual Environment To activate the virtual environment: - On **Linux/macOS**: ```bash source myenv/bin/activate ``` - On **Windows**: ```bash myenv\Scripts\activate ``` After activation, your terminal prompt will change to indicate that the virtual environment is active. All Python packages installed while the virtual environment is active will be isolated from your global Python installation. ### Step 4: Install Required Packages With the virtual environment activated, you can now install the required Python packages for this class. Use `pip` to install packages: ```bash pip install numpy matplotlib scipy gala jax taichi plotly ``` ### Step 5: Deactivate the Virtual Environment When you're done working in the virtual environment, deactivate it by running: ```bash deactivate ``` This will return your terminal to its normal state. --- ### Notes 1. Always activate the virtual environment before running scripts for this class to ensure the correct Python version and dependencies are used. 2. If you ever need to delete the virtual environment, simply remove the `myenv` directory. This process ensures an organized and isolated Python development environment, making it easier to manage dependencies for your coursework.