Steps to Install Python in a Virtual Environment

1. Install Required Tools

Ensure python3-venv is installed (for creating virtual environments):

sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3-venv

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2. Create a Virtual Environment

1. Navigate to the directory where you want the virtual environment:
   cd /path/to/your/project
2. Create a virtual environment:
   python3 -m venv venv
   • The venv directory will be created, containing a local Python installation and isolated environment.

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3. Activate the Virtual Environment

Activate the environment:

• For Bash/Zsh:
  source venv/bin/activate
• For Fish Shell:
  source venv/bin/activate.fish

Once activated, your shell prompt will change to indicate you’re in the virtual environment (e.g., (venv)).

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4. Upgrade pip, setuptools, and wheel

Update the essential Python tools:

pip install --upgrade pip setuptools wheel

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5. Install Python Modules (e.g., distutils)

You can now install any Python modules in this isolated environment:

pip install setuptools

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6. Verify Installation

Check if the required module is available:

python -c "import distutils; print('Distutils is available')"

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7. Exit the Virtual Environment

To leave the virtual environment, deactivate it:

deactivate

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Benefits of Using a Virtual Environment

• Isolation: Keeps dependencies separate from the system Python environment.
• Reproducibility: Ensures consistent behavior across projects.
• Safety: Prevents accidental modifications to the global Python environment.

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Using a Custom Python Version

If you need a custom Python version (e.g., compiled from source), you can point venv to use it:

/path/to/custom/python3 -m venv venv

This ensures your virtual environment uses the specific Python version.