ServBay Pip Usage Guide

What is pip?

pip is the official package management tool for Python. It is the cornerstone of the Python ecosystem and has the following features:

1. Development History:

   • First released in 2008 as a replacement for the earlier easy_install
   • Included by default in Python installations since Python 3.4
   • The latest stable version is the pip 23.x series

2. Core Features:

   • Downloads and installs packages from PyPI (Python Package Index)
   • Manages project dependencies
   • Handles package version conflicts
   • Supports installation from version control systems, local projects, or distribution files

3. Integration with ServBay:

   • ServBay comes pre-installed with the latest stable version of pip
   • Works automatically with configured mirror sources
   • Supports pip management for all Python versions

Tips for Using pip

ServBay has pip pre-installed, so you can use it directly:

Basic Commands

# Install a package
pip install package_name

# Upgrade a package
pip install --upgrade package_name

# Uninstall a package
pip uninstall package_name

Advanced Usage

# List installed packages
pip list

# Generate a requirements file
pip freeze > requirements.txt

# Install from requirements file
pip install -r requirements.txt

# Install specifying a mirror source (temporarily override settings)
pip install package_name -i https://pypi.tuna.tsinghua.edu.cn/simple

Using Virtual Environments

# Create a virtual environment
python -m venv myenv

# Activate the virtual environment
source myenv/bin/activate  # Linux/Mac
myenv\Scripts\activate     # Windows

# Use pip within the virtual environment
pip install package_name

Best Practice Recommendations

1. It is recommended to use a virtual environment to isolate dependencies when developing projects.
2. For large projects, manage dependencies with a requirements.txt file.
3. If you encounter download issues, try switching to different mirror sources.
4. Regularly use pip list --outdated to check for packages that can be updated.

The configuration of ServBay's PyPI mirror, combined with the built-in pip tool, provides a complete and efficient package management solution for Python development.