Pip
Pip is a Python package manager. It is optionally installed alongside Python.
Package Managers
A package manager is a program that handles installing, updating, and organizing software. Instead of going out to the internet to search for software, a package manager can be used as a one stop shop. It is conceptually similar to the app stores that we are all familiar with on our smartphones. And there are many package managers for the many different programming languages and operating systems. In our case pip package manager is written in Python, and is designed to install Python programs. Many Python programs written by individuals and groups are available through pip.
Recall that in Python packages are simply collections of modules or other subpackages. Therfore, pip is also used to install Python modules locally for use in our own Python programs.
Using pip
Pip is a command line program. pip -h or pip --help will display all options
and subcommands.
Installing Packages
Packages can be installed using the install subcommand.
pip install packageName
Uninstalling packages
Packages can be uninstalled using the uninstall subcommand.
pip uninstall packageName
Listing installed packages
A list of all installed packages can be displayed with the list subcommand.
pip list