How to Install Python Package with easy_install

easy_install is a Python package manager. It simplifies package installation. It is part of the setuptools library.

This guide will show you how to use easy_install. You will learn to install packages quickly and easily.

What is easy_install?

easy_install is a tool for installing Python packages. It fetches packages from PyPI (Python Package Index). It handles dependencies automatically.

While newer tools like Pipenv and Conda exist, easy_install is still useful. It is simple and works well for basic tasks.

Installing setuptools

Before using easy_install, you need setuptools. Setuptools is a library for package management. It includes easy_install.

Install setuptools with this command:

pip install setuptools

This will install the latest version. You can then use easy_install.

Basic Usage of easy_install

To install a package, use the easy_install command. The syntax is simple. Just type the package name.

easy_install package_name

For example, to install requests, run:

easy_install requests

The output will show the installation progress. It will also list any dependencies.

Searching for requests
Best match: requests 2.25.1
Adding requests 2.25.1 to easy-install.pth file
Installed /path/to/site-packages/requests-2.25.1-py3.8.egg
Processing dependencies for requests
Finished processing dependencies for requests

Installing Specific Versions

You can install a specific version of a package. Use the == operator.

easy_install requests==2.25.1

This ensures you get the exact version you need. It is useful for compatibility.

Upgrading Packages

To upgrade a package, use the -U flag. This will install the latest version.

easy_install -U requests

The output will confirm the upgrade. It will show the new version.

Installing from Source

You can install packages from source files. This is useful for local development. Use the path to the source.

easy_install /path/to/package.tar.gz

For more details, see our guide on installing from .tar.gz files.

Uninstalling Packages

easy_install does not have an uninstall feature. To remove a package, use pip.

pip uninstall package_name

This is a limitation of easy_install. Consider using pip for uninstalls.

Common Issues and Fixes

Sometimes, easy_install may fail. Here are common issues and fixes.

Permission Denied: Run with sudo if needed.

sudo easy_install package_name

Package Not Found: Check the package name on PyPI. Ensure it exists.

Network Issues: Verify your internet connection. Proxy settings may also cause problems.

Conclusion

easy_install is a simple tool for installing Python packages. It handles dependencies and is easy to use.

For more advanced features, consider Poetry or requirements.txt. These offer better dependency management.

Now you know how to use easy_install. Happy coding!