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Asked: 2024-09-26T19:52:18+05:30 In:

How can I distinguish between Python packages installed via pip and those that were included with my operating system’s package manager?

I’m diving into Python development and I keep hearing a lot about managing packages, but I’m running into some confusion. You see, I installed Python via my operating system’s package manager (I’m on Linux), but then I also used pip to install a bunch of extra packages. Now I’m trying to figure out how I can easily distinguish between the two types of packages — the ones installed through my OS’s package manager versus those I brought in with pip.

I remember reading something about how some packages might have been included with the system Python installation, while others are just sitting there, courtesy of pip. But here’s where it gets tricky for me: When I run `pip list`, it shows me all the packages installed with pip, but what about the ones that came with my OS? Is there a simple way to list all the system-installed packages separately? I kind of want to clean up my environment a bit, but I don’t want to accidentally uninstall something critical that my system relies on.

I did some digging, and I found that there are commands like `apt list –installed` that can show me installed packages from the package manager, but I’m not sure how to run that in conjunction with what pip knows. Additionally, it would be great to know if there’s an easy way to check the paths of the installed packages. Like, is there a way to see where exactly these packages are installed so I can get a better picture of what’s what?

Has anyone else dealt with this? I can’t be the only one feeling a bit lost when it comes to managing these packages. Any tips or tools you’ve found helpful? I’m hoping to make my Python environment a bit tidier going forward, and it would be awesome to hear how others have tackled this issue.

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    2 Answers


    1. Managing Python Packages on Linux

      So, you’re diving into Python development and feeling a bit lost with package management? Totally get it! It can be a bit confusing, especially when you’ve got packages installed through both your OS’s package manager and pip.

      Understanding the Difference

      First off, let’s clear up the difference: packages you install with your OS’s package manager (like apt on Ubuntu) are usually system-wide packages. On the other hand, pip installs packages into Python environments. That’s why you see them together and it can get a bit tangled.

      Listing Installed Packages

      When you run pip list, it shows you all the packages you’ve installed via pip. If you want to see what your system has installed, you might want to use:

      apt list --installed

      This command will show you all packages installed with your OS’s package manager.

      Finding Package Locations

      If you’re curious about where these packages are installed, here’s a quick way to check the paths:

      pip show package_name

      This will give you details including the location of the package. Just replace package_name with the actual name of the package. For system packages, you can use:

      dpkg -L package_name

      Again, replace package_name with the system package you want to find.

      Cleaning Up

      When it comes to cleaning up your environment, it’s a good idea to be cautious. Always check the documentation for the package you’re considering removing, especially system packages, since some are essential for your OS to run smoothly.

      Helpful Tools

      There are also tools like virtualenv or conda that can help you manage Python packages separately from the system installation. This way, you won’t mix your development packages with system packages!

      Hope that helps clear things up a bit! Happy coding!




    2. Python Package Management Tips

      Understanding the distinction between packages installed via your OS’s package manager and those installed with pip is crucial for effective Python development. On Linux, the system packages are often managed through tools like APT (Advanced Package Tool). You can list these packages by running `apt list –installed` in your terminal. This will give you a comprehensive list of all the packages installed through the OS’s package manager, including Python-related ones. On the other hand, using `pip list` will provide a list of packages that you’ve installed in your Python environment specifically with pip. To further differentiate, it’s also helpful to know that the system’s Python packages are typically found in `/usr/local/lib/pythonX.Y/dist-packages/`, where `X.Y` corresponds to your Python version, while pip-installed packages are found in the site-packages directory of your virtual environment or the user directory if you used the `–user` flag.

      If you aim to tidy up your Python environment, consider using tools like `pip freeze > requirements.txt` to document your pip installations in a manageable file, which can be handy if you want to recreate the environment later. For checking the installation paths of your pip packages, you can execute `pip show package_name`, which will provide detailed information including the location of the installed package. If you’ve installed packages in a virtual environment, you can simply activate that environment and run the commands to see its specific packages without affecting your system’s Python installation. By harmonizing the management of these packages, you can maintain a clean and organized Python development environment.


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