which method should be used to install python modules on Linux?

Question

Python modules can usually be installed via, among others,

• pip
• the package manager (yum, apt-get, ...)

Which one is it wiser to use? Can I mix both?

I understand that removal is dependent on the method (installing one way means cleanly uninstalling the same way) but I am more interested in the consequences for the python installation itself (i.e. is the python tree the same no matter the method, or would they clash?)

Answer 1

Python-specific module management system (pip)

• can install modules globally (for all users as root) or in your personal user tree,
• offers more modules

General system-level package management systems (yum, apt-get)

• only install packages globally
• offer fewer modules, but, possibly, better system integration (e.g., they will install the C library which the python module interfaces to automatically).

Answer 2

If you can use a package manager, that is generally the best option. Package managers will handle dependencies better than pip. You will have fewer packages to choose from, but the package manager should handle updates well. Systems using apt-get can usually be configured to automatically apply updates on a scheduled basis.

pip gives you more options, but I would limit its use to your personal user tree. You may end up with file conflicts with existing packages, if you install packages for all users.