How Does the -e, --editable Option in pip install Facilitate Package Development and Modification?

Usage and Benefits of the -e, --editable Option in pip install

When working with Python projects, you may encounter the -e or --editable option while using pip install. This option allows you to install a package in editable mode, also known as setuptools "develop mode."

What Does the -e, --editable Option Do?

As stated in the pip man page:

-e,--editable <path/url>
Install a project in editable mode (i.e.  setuptools "develop mode") from a local project path or a VCS url.

This option is particularly useful when developing or locally modifying a package. It establishes a link between the installed package and its original source directory.

Advantages of Editable Mode

• Direct Package Updates: Changes made in the source directory are immediately reflected in the installed package.
• No Need for Uninstallation: Unlike with standard installations, you don't need to uninstall the package to apply changes.
• Faster Development Cycle: Iterative development and testing is made more efficient by avoiding package uninstallation and reinstallation.

How to Use Editable Mode

To install a package in editable mode, use the following command:

pip install -e <path/url>

For example, you could install the current directory as an editable package with the following command:

pip install -e .

Benefits in Requirements.txt

When the last line in requirements.txt is -e ..., it specifies which package should be installed in editable mode. This is especially useful when managing dependencies that are under development or frequently updated.

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