Python Specific Version Pip Install, VE Best Practices

🔹 How to Install Global Packages in a Specific Python Version?

By default, when you run pip install <package>, it installs modules for the currently selected Python interpreter. If you want to explicitly install packages for a specific Python version, you need to use:

<full_python_path> -m pip install <package>

Example: Installing a package for Python 3.12

Run this in the VS Code terminal (or any command prompt):

C:/Users/user/AppData/Local/Programs/Python/Python312/python.exe -m pip install beautifulsoup4

This ensures that beautifulsoup4 is installed for Python 3.12 instead of another version.

🔹 Setting the Default Python Version for pip in VS Code Terminal

If you want all pip install commands to install packages for Python 3.12 by default, do this:

1. Open the VS Code terminal (Ctrl + ~).
2. Check which Python is being used:

python --version

• If it returns Python 3.12, you’re good to go! 🎯
• If not, follow these steps:

3. Manually specify the Python version for the current terminal session:

$env:Path = "C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python312;" + $env:Path

• Then verify with:

python --version

🔹 Alternative: Use Virtual Environments (Recommended)

If you’re working on multiple projects, a virtual environment (VE) prevents conflicts between different Python versions and packages. Instead of installing packages globally, you can create an isolated environment.

1. Create a virtual environment:

python -m venv venv

2. Activate it:

• PowerShell:

venv\Scripts\Activate

• Command Prompt (cmd):

venv\Scripts\activate.bat

3. Install packages inside VE:

pip install beautifulsoup4

4. Deactivate the VE:

deactivate