How To Install Python PIP For Python Packages

Much better than coding everything yourself

Python isn’t just a programming language for beginners—it’s a powerful and fully-fledged language, with an enormous number of third-party packages and libraries created around it. Rather than code everything yourself, you can deploy these third-party packages and use them as part of your own coding projects.

You might find these bysearching GitHubor the web, but you can also use PIP, the package manager for Python, to do this instead. PIP allows you to search for and install Python PIP packages from thePython Package Index, with thousands of packages available.

What Is PIP?

PIP, orPackageInstaller forPython, allows you to install packages from the central repository of Python packages available at thePython Package Index. In simple terms, it acts as an app store for Python, allowing you to install Python packages from a command line or terminal without needing to locate them yourself.

Linux users will already be familiar with this process—package managers are an essential part of the Linux user experience, with APT, Pacman, and others allowing you to install different software on various Linux distributions from a terminal window.

You’ll need Python installed before you can begin to use PIP. macOS and most Linux distributions will already have Python installed, but you’ll need to install it manually on Windows 10. You’ll also need to do this if your Linux distribution doesn’t have Python installed (or has an older version of Python) using the package manager for your distribution.

Installing Python PIP On Linux

Thepython-pippackage is available for download and installation for all major Linux distributions, as are variants. Depending on your Linux distribution, you may need to install thepython2-pippackage if you’re still using the Python 2.x series, rather than the Python 3.x series.

If you’re using Python 3.4 or above (or Python 2.7.9 or above), you don’t need to install PIP on Linux, as it’s already installed. Check this by opening a terminal window and typingpython3 –versionto check your installed Python version, then usepython -m piporpython3 -m pipto use it.

For Python versions below 2.7.9 or 3.4, installing Python PIP on Linux will depend on the system package manager in use. Here’s how to install PIP on various Linux platforms.

Installing Python PIP On Windows

Unlike Linux, Windows doesn’t come with Python pre-installed. That means you’ll need todownload and install Python for Windowsfirst before you can begin to use PIP on this platform.

If you’ve installed the most up-to-date version of Python, then you should find PIP installed alongside your Python installation. As we’ve mentioned,Python 2.7.9andPython3.4installations (and above) should have PIP installed automatically.

If you’re using an older Python version, you’ll need to use theget-pipscript to install pip automatically.

This should automatically install Python PIP for you to use. You can then run it from a PowerShell or command line window by typingpiporpython -m pip.

How To Install Python PIP On macOS

Like Linux, macOS usually comes with Python installed, as well as a version of PIP. Both Python and PIP on macOS are likely to be outdated, compared to the most recent release, but it should work as normal by opening a macOS terminal window and typingpiporpython -m pip(orpip3orpython3 -m pip).

If you want to update Python and PIP together, you can do this easily using theHomebrew package managerfor macOS.

Once it’s installed, typepiporpython -m pip(orpip3orpython3 -m pip) at the tutorial to run PIP and see a list of available PIP flags.

Updating PIP

If you already have PIP installed, but you want to update it to the latest version, you can do that using PIP itself.

Installing & Uninstalling Python Packages Using PIP

Once PIP is installed, updated, and ready to use on your chosen platform, you can finally begin to use it to download and install Python packages, or use it to uninstall existing packages.

Using PIP To Develop Better Python Projects

Once you know how to install Python PIP and use it to install new packages, you immediately have access to an endless number of libraries and other projects that will allow you to develop bigger and better projects of your own using Python.

Python is one of thebest programming languages to learn, especially for new coders, thanks to an easy-to-understand syntax and an endless number of resources for beginners.

Whether you’re a new Python coder or a pro, there’s always something new to learn, so let us know your own Python tips (or questions) in the comments section below.

Ben Stockton is a freelance technology writer based in the United Kingdom. In a past life, Ben was a college lecturer in the UK, training teens and adults. Since leaving the classroom, Ben has taken his teaching experience and applied it to writing tech how-to guides and tutorials, specialising in Linux, Windows, and Android. He has a degree in History and a postgraduate qualification in Computing.Read Ben’s Full Bio

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How To Install Python PIP For Python Packages#

What Is PIP?#

Installing Python PIP On Linux#

Installing Python PIP On Windows#

How To Install Python PIP On macOS#

Updating PIP#

Installing & Uninstalling Python Packages Using PIP#

Using PIP To Develop Better Python Projects#

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