Python Development Environment
Table of Contents
1 Overview
This document provides instructions for installing and setting up Python to begin working with other IDEs and development environments.
2 Windows
2.1 Install
2.1.1 Python
Install python directly from the official website: Python downloads.
It is highly recommended to select/allow the set environment variable (
might be slightly different wording) setting for system-wide activation.
2.2 Manual Virtual Environment Creation
python -m venv /path/to/new/virtual/environment # Create venv.
For official docs, see: https://docs.python.org/3/library/venv.html#module-venv.
3 macOS
3.1 Install
The following documentation is based on recommendations, there are multiple methods for installation.
3.1.1 Homebrew
See homebrew.md.
3.1.2 pyenv
brew install pyenv # Install pyenv.
3.1.3 Python via pyenv
pyenv install 3.12.3 # Install python version 3.12.3.
pyenv uninstall 3.12.3 # Uninstall python version.
pyenv global 3.12.3 # Set version for active global use.
pyenv local 3.12.3 # Set version for active local use.
pyenv shell 3.12.3 # Set version for active shell use.
# Activation levels from highest to lowest is: global, local, shell.
pyenv version # Show current active python version.
pyenv versions # Show all installed python versions.
# The * points to the version currently active.
pyenv which python # Show current active python location.
3.2 Manual Virtual Environment Creation
ls # Move to the target venv location.
pyenv virtualenv <python_version> <environment_name> # Create venv.
pyenv local <environment_name> # Activate venv as the local environment.
pyenv which python # Verify active python venv location.
pyenv which pip # Verify active pip (part of venv) location.
pyenv activate <environment_name> # Manually activate venv (if using multiple).
pyenv deactivate # Deactivate current venv.