Python Development Environment
Table of Contents
1 Overview
The following document covers the installation and setup for python to get started with other IDEs and dev envs.
1.1 Install
1.2 System Environment Variable
1.3 Python Virtual Environment
Normally the python virtual environment creation is handled via the IDE, but if for some reason you want to manually create it and/or learn how it is done, follow the manual setup instructions.
2 Windows
2.1 Install
2.1.1 Python
Install python directly from the official website:
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.