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Q&A What is the point of pipx?

They are tools for different audiences. pipx does not replace pip. In some more detail, pip answers the question "As a Python developer, how can I install Python packages and their dependencies" w...

posted 9mo ago by tripleee‭  ·  edited 8mo ago by tripleee‭

Answer
#7: Post edited by user avatar tripleee‭ · 2023-09-17T08:07:34Z (8 months ago)
Wording tweak
  • They are tools for different audiences. `pipx` does not replace `pip`.
  • In some more detail, `pip` answers the question **"As a Python developer, how can I install Python packages and their dependencies"** whereas `pipx` answers the question **"As a user, how can I conveniently install a tool which is available via PyPi,** without learning anything about Python, and without ending up in a situation where two packages I installed have trouble coexisting because they have conflicting or otherwise incompatible dependencies?"
  • Seen from this angle, it's pretty clear that the use cases are different.
  • `pipx` takes care to encapsulate each installation so that, behind the scenes, the installation effectively has its own virtual environment which gets activated when you run a `pipx`-installed command. Thus, any dependencies `pipx` installs are specific to, and separated from, any other Python packages installed elsewhere on your system somehow.
  • Even as a Python developer, I have some tools that I install because they are convenient to have available on my system, not particularly because they help me with Python or as a developer. The CLI for Amazon AWS is a good example.
  • Also, on shared servers, I can install tools like `ruff` without messing with the system or breaking anything for other users.
  • Any instructions which recommend installation with `pipx`, then, are meant for consumers of the utility package. The instructions basically imply, "if you know how to use `pip`, and prefer to use that for your use case (for example, to install this package as a dependency for a Python project of your own), **by all means use `pip` instead if you like."**
  • Obviously, `pipx` only makes sense for packages which make sense as a standalone CLI utility. For your Python development needs, `pip` remains the recommended installation tool, and the only one which makes sense for a library you want to use from your own Python code, directly or indirectly.
  • They are tools for different audiences. `pipx` does not replace `pip`.
  • In some more detail, `pip` answers the question **"As a Python developer, how can I install Python packages and their dependencies"** whereas `pipx` answers the question **"As a user, how can I conveniently install a tool which is available via PyPi,** without learning anything about Python, and without ending up in a situation where two packages I installed have trouble coexisting because they have conflicting or otherwise incompatible dependencies?"
  • Seen from this angle, it's pretty clear that the use cases are different.
  • `pipx` takes care to encapsulate each installation so that, behind the scenes, the installation effectively has its own virtual environment which gets activated when you run a `pipx`-installed command. Thus, any dependencies `pipx` installs are specific to, and separated from, any other Python packages installed elsewhere on your system somehow.
  • Even as a Python developer, I have some tools that I install because they are convenient to have available on my system, not particularly because they help me with Python or as a developer. The CLI for Amazon AWS is a good example.
  • Also, on shared servers, I can install tools like `ruff` without messing with the system or breaking anything for other users.
  • Any instructions which recommend installation with `pipx`, then, are meant for consumers of the utility package. The instructions basically imply, "if you know how to use `pip`, and prefer to use that for your use case (for example, to install this package as a dependency for a Python project of your own), **by all means use `pip` instead if you like."**
  • Obviously, `pipx` only makes sense for packages which are useful as a standalone CLI utility. For your Python development needs, `pip` remains the recommended installation tool, and the only one which makes sense for a library you want to use from your own Python code, directly or indirectly.
#6: Post edited by user avatar tripleee‭ · 2023-09-03T10:24:32Z (8 months ago)
Shared servers scenario
  • They are tools for different audiences. `pipx` does not replace `pip`.
  • In some more detail, `pip` answers the question **"As a Python developer, how can I install Python packages and their dependencies"** whereas `pipx` answers the question **"As a user, how can I conveniently install a tool which is available via PyPi,** without learning anything about Python, and without ending up in a situation where two packages I installed have trouble coexisting because they have conflicting or otherwise incompatible dependencies?"
  • Seen from this angle, it's pretty clear that the use cases are different.
  • `pipx` takes care to encapsulate each installation so that, behind the scenes, the installation effectively has its own virtual environment which gets activated when you run a `pipx`-installed command. Thus, any dependencies `pipx` installs are specific to, and separated from, any other Python packages installed elsewhere on your system somehow.
  • Even as a Python developer, I have some tools that I install because they are convenient to have available on my system, not particularly because they help me with Python or as a developer. The CLI for Amazon AWS is a good example.
  • Any instructions which recommend installation with `pipx`, then, are meant for consumers of the utility package. The instructions basically imply, "if you know how to use `pip`, and prefer to use that for your use case (for example, to install this package as a dependency for a Python project of your own), **by all means use `pip` instead if you like."**
  • Obviously, `pipx` only makes sense for packages which make sense as a standalone CLI utility. For your Python development needs, `pip` remains the recommended installation tool, and the only one which makes sense for a library you want to use from your own Python code, directly or indirectly.
  • They are tools for different audiences. `pipx` does not replace `pip`.
  • In some more detail, `pip` answers the question **"As a Python developer, how can I install Python packages and their dependencies"** whereas `pipx` answers the question **"As a user, how can I conveniently install a tool which is available via PyPi,** without learning anything about Python, and without ending up in a situation where two packages I installed have trouble coexisting because they have conflicting or otherwise incompatible dependencies?"
  • Seen from this angle, it's pretty clear that the use cases are different.
  • `pipx` takes care to encapsulate each installation so that, behind the scenes, the installation effectively has its own virtual environment which gets activated when you run a `pipx`-installed command. Thus, any dependencies `pipx` installs are specific to, and separated from, any other Python packages installed elsewhere on your system somehow.
  • Even as a Python developer, I have some tools that I install because they are convenient to have available on my system, not particularly because they help me with Python or as a developer. The CLI for Amazon AWS is a good example.
  • Also, on shared servers, I can install tools like `ruff` without messing with the system or breaking anything for other users.
  • Any instructions which recommend installation with `pipx`, then, are meant for consumers of the utility package. The instructions basically imply, "if you know how to use `pip`, and prefer to use that for your use case (for example, to install this package as a dependency for a Python project of your own), **by all means use `pip` instead if you like."**
  • Obviously, `pipx` only makes sense for packages which make sense as a standalone CLI utility. For your Python development needs, `pip` remains the recommended installation tool, and the only one which makes sense for a library you want to use from your own Python code, directly or indirectly.
#5: Post edited by user avatar tripleee‭ · 2023-09-03T10:15:41Z (8 months ago)
More directly address the question whether pipx could replace pip
  • I would say `pip` answers the question **"As a Python developer, how can I install Python packages and their dependencies"** whereas `pipx` answers the question **"As a user, how can I conveniently install a tool which is available via PyPi,** without learning anything about Python, and without ending up in a situation where two packages I installed have trouble coexisting because they have conflicting or otherwise incompatible dependencies?"
  • Seen from this angle, it's pretty clear that the use cases are different.
  • `pipx` takes care to encapsulate each installation so that, behind the scenes, the installation effectively has its own virtual environment which gets activated when you run a `pipx`-installed command. Thus, any dependencies `pipx` installs are specific to, and separated from, any other Python packages installed elsewhere on your system somehow.
  • Even as a Python developer, I have some tools that I install because they are convenient to have available on my system, not particularly because they help me with Python or as a developer. The CLI for Amazon AWS is a good example.
  • Any instructions which recommend installation with `pipx`, then, are meant for consumers of the utility package. The instructions basically imply, "if you know how to use `pip`, and prefer to use that for your use case (for example, to install this package as a dependency for a Python project of your own), **by all means use `pip` instead if you like."**
  • They are tools for different audiences. `pipx` does not replace `pip`.
  • In some more detail, `pip` answers the question **"As a Python developer, how can I install Python packages and their dependencies"** whereas `pipx` answers the question **"As a user, how can I conveniently install a tool which is available via PyPi,** without learning anything about Python, and without ending up in a situation where two packages I installed have trouble coexisting because they have conflicting or otherwise incompatible dependencies?"
  • Seen from this angle, it's pretty clear that the use cases are different.
  • `pipx` takes care to encapsulate each installation so that, behind the scenes, the installation effectively has its own virtual environment which gets activated when you run a `pipx`-installed command. Thus, any dependencies `pipx` installs are specific to, and separated from, any other Python packages installed elsewhere on your system somehow.
  • Even as a Python developer, I have some tools that I install because they are convenient to have available on my system, not particularly because they help me with Python or as a developer. The CLI for Amazon AWS is a good example.
  • Any instructions which recommend installation with `pipx`, then, are meant for consumers of the utility package. The instructions basically imply, "if you know how to use `pip`, and prefer to use that for your use case (for example, to install this package as a dependency for a Python project of your own), **by all means use `pip` instead if you like."**
  • Obviously, `pipx` only makes sense for packages which make sense as a standalone CLI utility. For your Python development needs, `pip` remains the recommended installation tool, and the only one which makes sense for a library you want to use from your own Python code, directly or indirectly.
#4: Post edited by user avatar tripleee‭ · 2023-09-03T10:08:00Z (8 months ago)
  • I would say `pip` answers the question **"As a Python developer, how can I install Python packages and their dependencies"** whereas `pipx` answers the question **"As a user, how can I conveniently install a tool which is available via PyPi,** without learning anything about Python, and without ending up in a situation where two packages I installed have trouble coexisting because they have conflicting or otherwise incompatible dependencies?"
  • Seen from this angle, it's pretty clear that the use cases are different.
  • `pipx` takes care to encapsulate each installation so that, behind the scenes, the installation effectively has its own virtual environment which gets activated when you run a `pipx`-installed command. Thus, any dependencies `pipx` installs are specific to, and separated from, any other Python packages installed elsewhere on your system somehow.
  • Even as a Python developer, I have some tools that I install because they are convenient to have available on my system, not particularly because they help me with Python or as a developer. The CLI for Amazon AWS is a good example.
  • Any instructions which recommend installation with `pipx`, then, are meant for consumers of the utility package. The instructions basically imply, "if you know how to use `pip`, and prefer to use that for some reason, by all means do that instead."
  • I would say `pip` answers the question **"As a Python developer, how can I install Python packages and their dependencies"** whereas `pipx` answers the question **"As a user, how can I conveniently install a tool which is available via PyPi,** without learning anything about Python, and without ending up in a situation where two packages I installed have trouble coexisting because they have conflicting or otherwise incompatible dependencies?"
  • Seen from this angle, it's pretty clear that the use cases are different.
  • `pipx` takes care to encapsulate each installation so that, behind the scenes, the installation effectively has its own virtual environment which gets activated when you run a `pipx`-installed command. Thus, any dependencies `pipx` installs are specific to, and separated from, any other Python packages installed elsewhere on your system somehow.
  • Even as a Python developer, I have some tools that I install because they are convenient to have available on my system, not particularly because they help me with Python or as a developer. The CLI for Amazon AWS is a good example.
  • Any instructions which recommend installation with `pipx`, then, are meant for consumers of the utility package. The instructions basically imply, "if you know how to use `pip`, and prefer to use that for your use case (for example, to install this package as a dependency for a Python project of your own), **by all means use `pip` instead if you like."**
#3: Post edited by user avatar tripleee‭ · 2023-09-03T10:05:26Z (8 months ago)
Final corollary
  • I would say `pip` answers the question **"As a Python developer, how can I install Python packages and their dependencies"** whereas `pipx` answers the question **"As a user, how can I conveniently install a tool which is available via PyPi,** without learning anything about Python, and without ending up in a situation where two packages I installed have trouble coexisting because they have conflicting or otherwise incompatible dependencies?"
  • Seen from this angle, it's pretty clear that the use cases are different.
  • `pipx` takes care to encapsulate each installation so that, behind the scenes, the installation effectively has its own virtual environment which gets activated when you run a `pipx`-installed command. Thus, any dependencies `pipx` installs are specific to, and separated from, any other Python packages installed elsewhere on your system somehow.
  • Even as a Python developer, I have some tools that I install because they are convenient to have available on my system, not particularly because they help me with Python or as a developer. The CLI for Amazon AWS is a good example.
  • I would say `pip` answers the question **"As a Python developer, how can I install Python packages and their dependencies"** whereas `pipx` answers the question **"As a user, how can I conveniently install a tool which is available via PyPi,** without learning anything about Python, and without ending up in a situation where two packages I installed have trouble coexisting because they have conflicting or otherwise incompatible dependencies?"
  • Seen from this angle, it's pretty clear that the use cases are different.
  • `pipx` takes care to encapsulate each installation so that, behind the scenes, the installation effectively has its own virtual environment which gets activated when you run a `pipx`-installed command. Thus, any dependencies `pipx` installs are specific to, and separated from, any other Python packages installed elsewhere on your system somehow.
  • Even as a Python developer, I have some tools that I install because they are convenient to have available on my system, not particularly because they help me with Python or as a developer. The CLI for Amazon AWS is a good example.
  • Any instructions which recommend installation with `pipx`, then, are meant for consumers of the utility package. The instructions basically imply, "if you know how to use `pip`, and prefer to use that for some reason, by all means do that instead."
#2: Post edited by user avatar tripleee‭ · 2023-09-03T09:56:11Z (8 months ago)
Updated based on comments
  • I would say `pip` answers the question **"As a Python developer, how can I install dependencies"** whereas `pipx` answers the question **"As a user, how can I conveniently install a tool which is available via PyPi"** (without learning anything about Python, and without ending up in a situation where two packages I installed have trouble coexisting because they have conflicting or otherwise incompatible dependencies)?
  • Seen from this angle, it's pretty clear that the use cases are different.
  • Even as a Python developer, I have some tools that I install because they are convenient to have available on my system, not particularly because they help me with Python or as a developer. The CLI for Amazon AWS is a good example.
  • I would say `pip` answers the question **"As a Python developer, how can I install Python packages and their dependencies"** whereas `pipx` answers the question **"As a user, how can I conveniently install a tool which is available via PyPi,** without learning anything about Python, and without ending up in a situation where two packages I installed have trouble coexisting because they have conflicting or otherwise incompatible dependencies?"
  • Seen from this angle, it's pretty clear that the use cases are different.
  • `pipx` takes care to encapsulate each installation so that, behind the scenes, the installation effectively has its own virtual environment which gets activated when you run a `pipx`-installed command. Thus, any dependencies `pipx` installs are specific to, and separated from, any other Python packages installed elsewhere on your system somehow.
  • Even as a Python developer, I have some tools that I install because they are convenient to have available on my system, not particularly because they help me with Python or as a developer. The CLI for Amazon AWS is a good example.
#1: Initial revision by user avatar tripleee‭ · 2023-09-02T16:35:23Z (9 months ago) 
I would say `pip` answers the question **"As a Python developer, how can I install dependencies"** whereas `pipx` answers the question **"As a user, how can I conveniently install a tool which is available via PyPi"** (without learning anything about Python, and without ending up in a situation where two packages I installed have trouble coexisting because they have conflicting or otherwise incompatible dependencies)?

Seen from this angle, it's pretty clear that the use cases are different.

Even as a Python developer, I have some tools that I install because they are convenient to have available on my system, not particularly because they help me with Python or as a developer. The CLI for Amazon AWS is a good example.