How to Install Pip Packages for Specific Python Versions in Multi-Version Environments?

Pip Package Installation for Specific Python Versions in Multi-Version Environments

In scenarios where multiple Python versions coexist, such as installing Python 2.7 alongside the default Python 2.6 in Ubuntu 10.04, managing package installations can be challenging. The default behavior of pip is to install packages for the active Python version, which may not be the desired one.

Consider the case of installing BeautifulSoup. Using the command pip install beautifulsoup4 by default installs the package for Python 2.6, even though we may want it for Python 2.7. This leads to issues when importing the package in Python 2.7, resulting in a "No module named bs4" error.

To address this challenge, there are a few options available:

Using Python Virtual Environment

Creating a virtual environment for each Python version allows for isolated package management. This ensures that packages installed for a specific version will not interfere with those for other versions.

Using the Python Executable in Pip Command

Alternatively, pip can be invoked with the specific Python executable to target the desired version. For example:

python2.7 -m pip install foo

This command will install the foo package for Python 2.7 by explicitly calling the Python 2.7 executable.

Modifying Path Variable

Another approach is to modify the system path variable to prioritize the desired Python version. This ensures that when pip is invoked, it uses the specified version. However, this method can have global implications and should be used with caution.

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