<!DOCTYPE html> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <title>Installing Python Modules — Python 3.7.4 documentation</title> <link rel="stylesheet" href="../_static/pydoctheme.css" type="text/css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" href="../_static/pygments.css" type="text/css" /> <script type="text/javascript" id="documentation_options" data-url_root="../" src="../_static/documentation_options.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="../_static/jquery.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="../_static/underscore.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="../_static/doctools.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="../_static/language_data.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="../_static/sidebar.js"></script> <link rel="search" type="application/opensearchdescription+xml" title="Search within Python 3.7.4 documentation" href="../_static/opensearch.xml"/> <link rel="author" title="About these documents" href="../about.html" /> <link rel="index" title="Index" href="../genindex.html" /> <link rel="search" title="Search" href="../search.html" /> <link rel="copyright" title="Copyright" href="../copyright.html" /> <link rel="next" title="Python HOWTOs" href="../howto/index.html" /> <link rel="prev" title="Distributing Python Modules" href="../distributing/index.html" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" type="image/png" href="../_static/py.png" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://docs.python.org/3/installing/index.html" /> <script type="text/javascript" src="../_static/copybutton.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="../_static/switchers.js"></script> <style> @media only screen { table.full-width-table { width: 100%; } } </style> </head><body> <div class="related" role="navigation" aria-label="related navigation"> <h3>Navigation</h3> <ul> <li class="right" style="margin-right: 10px"> <a href="../genindex.html" title="General Index" accesskey="I">index</a></li> <li class="right" > <a href="../py-modindex.html" title="Python Module Index" >modules</a> |</li> <li class="right" > <a href="../howto/index.html" title="Python HOWTOs" accesskey="N">next</a> |</li> <li class="right" > <a href="../distributing/index.html" title="Distributing Python Modules" accesskey="P">previous</a> |</li> <li><img src="../_static/py.png" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-top: -1px"/></li> <li><a href="https://www.python.org/">Python</a> »</li> <li> <span class="language_switcher_placeholder">en</span> <span class="version_switcher_placeholder">3.7.4</span> <a href="../index.html">Documentation </a> » </li> <li class="right"> <div class="inline-search" style="display: none" role="search"> <form class="inline-search" action="../search.html" method="get"> <input placeholder="Quick search" type="text" name="q" /> <input type="submit" value="Go" /> <input type="hidden" name="check_keywords" value="yes" /> <input type="hidden" name="area" value="default" /> </form> </div> <script type="text/javascript">$('.inline-search').show(0);</script> | </li> </ul> </div> <div class="document"> <div class="documentwrapper"> <div class="bodywrapper"> <div class="body" role="main"> <div class="section" id="installing-python-modules"> <span id="installing-index"></span><h1>Installing Python Modules<a class="headerlink" href="#installing-python-modules" title="Permalink to this headline">¶</a></h1> <dl class="field-list simple"> <dt class="field-odd">Email</dt> <dd class="field-odd"><p><a class="reference external" href="mailto:distutils-sig%40python.org">distutils-sig<span>@</span>python<span>.</span>org</a></p> </dd> </dl> <p>As a popular open source development project, Python has an active supporting community of contributors and users that also make their software available for other Python developers to use under open source license terms.</p> <p>This allows Python users to share and collaborate effectively, benefiting from the solutions others have already created to common (and sometimes even rare!) problems, as well as potentially contributing their own solutions to the common pool.</p> <p>This guide covers the installation part of the process. For a guide to creating and sharing your own Python projects, refer to the <a class="reference internal" href="../distributing/index.html#distributing-index"><span class="std std-ref">distribution guide</span></a>.</p> <div class="admonition note"> <p class="admonition-title">Note</p> <p>For corporate and other institutional users, be aware that many organisations have their own policies around using and contributing to open source software. Please take such policies into account when making use of the distribution and installation tools provided with Python.</p> </div> <div class="section" id="key-terms"> <h2>Key terms<a class="headerlink" href="#key-terms" title="Permalink to this headline">¶</a></h2> <ul class="simple"> <li><p><code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">pip</span></code> is the preferred installer program. Starting with Python 3.4, it is included by default with the Python binary installers.</p></li> <li><p>A <em>virtual environment</em> is a semi-isolated Python environment that allows packages to be installed for use by a particular application, rather than being installed system wide.</p></li> <li><p><code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">venv</span></code> is the standard tool for creating virtual environments, and has been part of Python since Python 3.3. Starting with Python 3.4, it defaults to installing <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">pip</span></code> into all created virtual environments.</p></li> <li><p><code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">virtualenv</span></code> is a third party alternative (and predecessor) to <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">venv</span></code>. It allows virtual environments to be used on versions of Python prior to 3.4, which either don’t provide <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">venv</span></code> at all, or aren’t able to automatically install <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">pip</span></code> into created environments.</p></li> <li><p>The <a class="reference external" href="https://pypi.org">Python Packaging Index</a> is a public repository of open source licensed packages made available for use by other Python users.</p></li> <li><p>the <a class="reference external" href="https://www.pypa.io/">Python Packaging Authority</a> is the group of developers and documentation authors responsible for the maintenance and evolution of the standard packaging tools and the associated metadata and file format standards. They maintain a variety of tools, documentation, and issue trackers on both <a class="reference external" href="https://github.com/pypa">GitHub</a> and <a class="reference external" href="https://bitbucket.org/pypa/">BitBucket</a>.</p></li> <li><p><code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">distutils</span></code> is the original build and distribution system first added to the Python standard library in 1998. While direct use of <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">distutils</span></code> is being phased out, it still laid the foundation for the current packaging and distribution infrastructure, and it not only remains part of the standard library, but its name lives on in other ways (such as the name of the mailing list used to coordinate Python packaging standards development).</p></li> </ul> <div class="deprecated"> <p><span class="versionmodified deprecated">Deprecated since version 3.6: </span><code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">pyvenv</span></code> was the recommended tool for creating virtual environments for Python 3.3 and 3.4, and is <a class="reference external" href="https://docs.python.org/dev/whatsnew/3.6.html#deprecated-features">deprecated in Python 3.6</a>.</p> </div> <div class="versionchanged"> <p><span class="versionmodified changed">Changed in version 3.5: </span>The use of <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">venv</span></code> is now recommended for creating virtual environments.</p> </div> <div class="admonition seealso"> <p class="admonition-title">See also</p> <p><a class="reference external" href="https://packaging.python.org/installing/#creating-virtual-environments">Python Packaging User Guide: Creating and using virtual environments</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="section" id="basic-usage"> <h2>Basic usage<a class="headerlink" href="#basic-usage" title="Permalink to this headline">¶</a></h2> <p>The standard packaging tools are all designed to be used from the command line.</p> <p>The following command will install the latest version of a module and its dependencies from the Python Packaging Index:</p> <div class="highlight-none notranslate"><div class="highlight"><pre><span></span>python -m pip install SomePackage </pre></div> </div> <div class="admonition note"> <p class="admonition-title">Note</p> <p>For POSIX users (including Mac OS X and Linux users), the examples in this guide assume the use of a <a class="reference internal" href="../glossary.html#term-virtual-environment"><span class="xref std std-term">virtual environment</span></a>.</p> <p>For Windows users, the examples in this guide assume that the option to adjust the system PATH environment variable was selected when installing Python.</p> </div> <p>It’s also possible to specify an exact or minimum version directly on the command line. When using comparator operators such as <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">></span></code>, <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre"><</span></code> or some other special character which get interpreted by shell, the package name and the version should be enclosed within double quotes:</p> <div class="highlight-none notranslate"><div class="highlight"><pre><span></span>python -m pip install SomePackage==1.0.4 # specific version python -m pip install "SomePackage>=1.0.4" # minimum version </pre></div> </div> <p>Normally, if a suitable module is already installed, attempting to install it again will have no effect. Upgrading existing modules must be requested explicitly:</p> <div class="highlight-none notranslate"><div class="highlight"><pre><span></span>python -m pip install --upgrade SomePackage </pre></div> </div> <p>More information and resources regarding <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">pip</span></code> and its capabilities can be found in the <a class="reference external" href="https://packaging.python.org">Python Packaging User Guide</a>.</p> <p>Creation of virtual environments is done through the <a class="reference internal" href="../library/venv.html#module-venv" title="venv: Creation of virtual environments."><code class="xref py py-mod docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">venv</span></code></a> module. Installing packages into an active virtual environment uses the commands shown above.</p> <div class="admonition seealso"> <p class="admonition-title">See also</p> <p><a class="reference external" href="https://packaging.python.org/installing/">Python Packaging User Guide: Installing Python Distribution Packages</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="section" id="how-do-i"> <h2>How do I …?<a class="headerlink" href="#how-do-i" title="Permalink to this headline">¶</a></h2> <p>These are quick answers or links for some common tasks.</p> <div class="section" id="install-pip-in-versions-of-python-prior-to-python-3-4"> <h3>… install <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">pip</span></code> in versions of Python prior to Python 3.4?<a class="headerlink" href="#install-pip-in-versions-of-python-prior-to-python-3-4" title="Permalink to this headline">¶</a></h3> <p>Python only started bundling <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">pip</span></code> with Python 3.4. For earlier versions, <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">pip</span></code> needs to be “bootstrapped” as described in the Python Packaging User Guide.</p> <div class="admonition seealso"> <p class="admonition-title">See also</p> <p><a class="reference external" href="https://packaging.python.org/installing/#requirements-for-installing-packages">Python Packaging User Guide: Requirements for Installing Packages</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="section" id="install-packages-just-for-the-current-user"> <h3>… install packages just for the current user?<a class="headerlink" href="#install-packages-just-for-the-current-user" title="Permalink to this headline">¶</a></h3> <p>Passing the <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">--user</span></code> option to <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">python</span> <span class="pre">-m</span> <span class="pre">pip</span> <span class="pre">install</span></code> will install a package just for the current user, rather than for all users of the system.</p> </div> <div class="section" id="install-scientific-python-packages"> <h3>… install scientific Python packages?<a class="headerlink" href="#install-scientific-python-packages" title="Permalink to this headline">¶</a></h3> <p>A number of scientific Python packages have complex binary dependencies, and aren’t currently easy to install using <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">pip</span></code> directly. At this point in time, it will often be easier for users to install these packages by <a class="reference external" href="https://packaging.python.org/science/">other means</a> rather than attempting to install them with <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">pip</span></code>.</p> <div class="admonition seealso"> <p class="admonition-title">See also</p> <p><a class="reference external" href="https://packaging.python.org/science/">Python Packaging User Guide: Installing Scientific Packages</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="section" id="work-with-multiple-versions-of-python-installed-in-parallel"> <h3>… work with multiple versions of Python installed in parallel?<a class="headerlink" href="#work-with-multiple-versions-of-python-installed-in-parallel" title="Permalink to this headline">¶</a></h3> <p>On Linux, Mac OS X, and other POSIX systems, use the versioned Python commands in combination with the <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">-m</span></code> switch to run the appropriate copy of <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">pip</span></code>:</p> <div class="highlight-none notranslate"><div class="highlight"><pre><span></span>python2 -m pip install SomePackage # default Python 2 python2.7 -m pip install SomePackage # specifically Python 2.7 python3 -m pip install SomePackage # default Python 3 python3.4 -m pip install SomePackage # specifically Python 3.4 </pre></div> </div> <p>Appropriately versioned <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">pip</span></code> commands may also be available.</p> <p>On Windows, use the <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">py</span></code> Python launcher in combination with the <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">-m</span></code> switch:</p> <div class="highlight-none notranslate"><div class="highlight"><pre><span></span>py -2 -m pip install SomePackage # default Python 2 py -2.7 -m pip install SomePackage # specifically Python 2.7 py -3 -m pip install SomePackage # default Python 3 py -3.4 -m pip install SomePackage # specifically Python 3.4 </pre></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="section" id="common-installation-issues"> <h2>Common installation issues<a class="headerlink" href="#common-installation-issues" title="Permalink to this headline">¶</a></h2> <div class="section" id="installing-into-the-system-python-on-linux"> <h3>Installing into the system Python on Linux<a class="headerlink" href="#installing-into-the-system-python-on-linux" title="Permalink to this headline">¶</a></h3> <p>On Linux systems, a Python installation will typically be included as part of the distribution. Installing into this Python installation requires root access to the system, and may interfere with the operation of the system package manager and other components of the system if a component is unexpectedly upgraded using <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">pip</span></code>.</p> <p>On such systems, it is often better to use a virtual environment or a per-user installation when installing packages with <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">pip</span></code>.</p> </div> <div class="section" id="pip-not-installed"> <h3>Pip not installed<a class="headerlink" href="#pip-not-installed" title="Permalink to this headline">¶</a></h3> <p>It is possible that <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">pip</span></code> does not get installed by default. One potential fix is:</p> <div class="highlight-none notranslate"><div class="highlight"><pre><span></span>python -m ensurepip --default-pip </pre></div> </div> <p>There are also additional resources for <a class="reference external" href="https://packaging.python.org/tutorials/installing-packages/#install-pip-setuptools-and-wheel">installing pip.</a></p> </div> <div class="section" id="installing-binary-extensions"> <h3>Installing binary extensions<a class="headerlink" href="#installing-binary-extensions" title="Permalink to this headline">¶</a></h3> <p>Python has typically relied heavily on source based distribution, with end users being expected to compile extension modules from source as part of the installation process.</p> <p>With the introduction of support for the binary <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">wheel</span></code> format, and the ability to publish wheels for at least Windows and Mac OS X through the Python Packaging Index, this problem is expected to diminish over time, as users are more regularly able to install pre-built extensions rather than needing to build them themselves.</p> <p>Some of the solutions for installing <a class="reference external" href="https://packaging.python.org/science/">scientific software</a> that are not yet available as pre-built <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">wheel</span></code> files may also help with obtaining other binary extensions without needing to build them locally.</p> <div class="admonition seealso"> <p class="admonition-title">See also</p> <p><a class="reference external" href="https://packaging.python.org/extensions/">Python Packaging User Guide: Binary Extensions</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="sphinxsidebar" role="navigation" aria-label="main navigation"> <div class="sphinxsidebarwrapper"> <h3><a href="../contents.html">Table of Contents</a></h3> <ul> <li><a class="reference internal" href="#">Installing Python Modules</a><ul> <li><a class="reference internal" href="#key-terms">Key terms</a></li> <li><a class="reference internal" href="#basic-usage">Basic usage</a></li> <li><a class="reference internal" href="#how-do-i">How do I …?</a><ul> <li><a class="reference internal" href="#install-pip-in-versions-of-python-prior-to-python-3-4">… install <code class="docutils literal notranslate"><span class="pre">pip</span></code> in versions of Python prior to Python 3.4?</a></li> <li><a class="reference internal" href="#install-packages-just-for-the-current-user">… install packages just for the current user?</a></li> <li><a class="reference internal" href="#install-scientific-python-packages">… install scientific Python packages?</a></li> <li><a class="reference internal" href="#work-with-multiple-versions-of-python-installed-in-parallel">… work with multiple versions of Python installed in parallel?</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><a class="reference internal" href="#common-installation-issues">Common installation issues</a><ul> <li><a class="reference internal" href="#installing-into-the-system-python-on-linux">Installing into the system Python on Linux</a></li> <li><a class="reference internal" href="#pip-not-installed">Pip not installed</a></li> <li><a class="reference internal" href="#installing-binary-extensions">Installing binary extensions</a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h4>Previous topic</h4> <p class="topless"><a href="../distributing/index.html" title="previous chapter">Distributing Python Modules</a></p> <h4>Next topic</h4> <p class="topless"><a href="../howto/index.html" title="next chapter">Python HOWTOs</a></p> <div role="note" aria-label="source link"> <h3>This Page</h3> <ul class="this-page-menu"> <li><a href="../bugs.html">Report a Bug</a></li> <li> <a href="https://github.com/python/cpython/blob/3.7/Doc/installing/index.rst" rel="nofollow">Show Source </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="clearer"></div> </div> <div class="related" role="navigation" aria-label="related navigation"> <h3>Navigation</h3> <ul> <li class="right" style="margin-right: 10px"> <a href="../genindex.html" title="General Index" >index</a></li> <li class="right" > <a href="../py-modindex.html" title="Python Module Index" >modules</a> |</li> <li class="right" > <a href="../howto/index.html" title="Python HOWTOs" >next</a> |</li> <li class="right" > <a href="../distributing/index.html" title="Distributing Python Modules" >previous</a> |</li> <li><img src="../_static/py.png" alt="" style="vertical-align: middle; 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