This information is from: Python Virtual Environments - Full Tutorial for Beginners

Introduction

A virtual environment is a self-contained location that enables you to maintain separate and isolated environments for your Python projects.

Virtual Environments (VEs) are directories on your system.

Advantages are

• manage dependencies
• versions
• packages

without conflicts across different projects.

VENV

There are several virtual environments available, but 'venv' is built into Python.

Some other VEs are: Poetry, Python virtualenv, Conda, pipenv.

Using VENV

Note: VENV commands are slightly different for Windows and Linux/Mac.

1. Navigate to a directory where you want create a virtual environment. You may need to create it. (Use the project's name as the directory name?)


2. Create a VE

   The convention is to use the name "env" but it is not a requirement.

   • Windows: python -m venv env
     A new directory "env" is created in the current directory. Use 'dir' to verify it's creation.
   • Mac or Linux: python3 -m venv env
     A new directory "env" is created in the current directory. Use 'ls' to verify it's creation.
   
   
3. Activate a VE
   • Windows: .\env\Scripts\activate.bat
   • Mac or Linux: ./source env/bin/activate
   You should see "(env)" before the shell prompt (e.g. (env) <shell prompt>)


4. Deactivate a VE
   • (env) <shell prompt> deactivate
   This deactivates a VE on Mac,Windows,Linux and returns back to the global Python environment. (Back to the root directory of project?)


5. Delete a VE
   • Windows: rmdir <project_name> /s
   • Mac or Linux: rm /r <project_name>

Links

venv — Creation of virtual environments (Python Documentation)

Python Tutorial: VENV (Windows) - How to Use Virtual Environments with the Built-In venv Module (YouTube)

Python Tutorial: VENV (Mac & Linux) - How to Use Virtual Environments with the Built-In venv Module (YouTube)

Virtual Environments in Python - Crash Course (YouTube)

Clean New Projects with venv - Virtual Environments (YouTube)