Linux @lemmy.ml James_Ryan @discuss.tchncs.de 5 mo. ago

(Solved) Question about Python-packages

I'm having a fair share of problems with OpenSuse Tumbleweed and python atm.

Coming from Linux Mint and windows.

Installing python-packages with pip was pretty easy.

But I have trouble understanding how to install the following packages on TumbleWeed:

tkCalendar

yaml for Python(311)

When I try to use pip I get prompted to use zypper.

I am stuck at this point. Do I have to use something different than zypper? What is the correct way here?

Help very much appreciated and thank you in advance!

--- Update ---

**Thanks everyone for the help! **

I could succesfully create a virtual enviroment in my Visualstudio Code and installed the needed libraries. The next step for me would be to create a executable package.

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17 comments

An alternative is to use pipx : https://pipx.pypa.io/stable

Overview: What is pipx?

pipx is a tool to help you install and run end-user applications written in Python. It's roughly similar to macOS's brew, JavaScript's npx, and Linux's apt.

It's closely related to pip. In fact, it uses pip, but is focused on installing and managing Python packages that can be run from the command line directly as applications. How is it Different from pip?

pip is a general-purpose package installer for both libraries and apps with no environment isolation. pipx is made specifically for application installation, as it adds isolation yet still makes the apps available in your shell: pipx creates an isolated environment for each application and its associated packages.

pipx does not ship with pip, but installing it is often an important part of bootstrapping your system.
- I installed pipx with "zypper install python311-pipx".
  
  But I can't find a way to install the damn tkcalendar with it -> https://pypi.org/project/tkcalendar/#files
  
  Feeling like an idiot here.
  
  This really cant be that hard..
  
  pipx won't work for that, it's a library.
  
  If you are working on your own project/script, you should use virtualenv for development and install all required libraries there.
  If you need it because some system installed application or part of your system does not work without it then... you are in bad place - pip is python package manager primarily used for general python development (installing depending packages, and in theory also for packaging python projects) but it should never be used as system wide package manager - you will break stuff (especially when used with sudo).
  
  I have written a little python script with said data-picker. Therefore I need tkcalendar to run my script
  
  You will want to use virtualenv, it creates isolated "workspace" so that system (python) packages do not conflict or mix.
  
  https://docs.python.org/3/tutorial/venv.html
  
  OK then I have to read about it.
  
  I am a bit confused because the installation with pip on Linux Mint was no problem and didnt throw any errors. I could use my script in the IDE and from console.
  
  On Tumbleweed it seems to be a lot different. From the first look I have to activate the virt. env
  
  Do I have to do this everytime I start the script via console?
  
  Using pip to install packages outside of venv was always a risk, (newer) pip now has this mechanism to really drive the point home that this can break stuff.
  
  Do I have to do this everytime I start the script via console?
  
  Yes, one way to get rid of this requirement is to package the script as binary/executable package (add pyproject.toml with some sane defaults and with proper [project.scripts]) and then install the project using pipx - pipx install -e path/to/the/project/, the -e flag stands for editable and is nice to have here as you won't have to reinstall everytime you change the script.
  What pipx does is that it creates the local virtualenv, installs everything the package declares as needed and adds a special executable script into location like ~/.local/bin/ that first sources the venv and then starts the entry script - keeping everything isolated.
  
  Holy shit!
  
  **Thank you very much! **
  
  You did help me big time.
  
  I'm understanding more and was successfull in installing tkcalendar and pyyaml in a virual Enviroment in VisualStudioCode. For now I can use my script.
  
  Does the command pipx install tkcalendar give errors ?
  
  Yes:
  
  Note: Dependent package 'babel' contains 1 apps - pybabel No apps associated with package tkcalendar. Try again with '--include-deps' to include apps of dependent packages, which are listed above. If you are attempting to install a library, pipx should not be used. Consider using pip or a similar tool instead.
  
  Hmm. I see that the software is about five years old. The last comment in this thread is maybe useful ? https://github.com/j4321/tkcalendar/issues/79

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