Difference Between pip and easy_install in Python

Python’s popularity is partly due to its many pre-written code packages that simplify development. Two major tools for managing these packages are pip and easy_install. In this article, we’ll look at how they’re alike and different, so you can choose the best one for our projects.

Python Pip

Pip, the short form of “Pip Installs Packages,” is like the main boss of Python package management. It’s the tool most Python folks use because it’s packed with handy features. Here’s why it’s so cool:

1. Installing Packages: Pip makes it a snap to install packages from the Python Package Index (PyPI), which is like the official treasure trove of Python goodies. It’s smart enough to figure out what other stuff those packages need to work properly and install everything smoothly.
2. Virtual Environments: Pip plays nice with virtual environments, which are like secret hideouts for your projects. With Pip, you can create these isolated spaces, keeping your projects neat. This way, you can avoid any clashes between different projects and manage dependencies easily.
3. Requirements Files: Pip is all about making things easy. It uses requirements.txt files where you can list out all the packages your project needs. This makes it super simple to set up the same environment on another computer without any fuss.
4. Package Management: Pip isn’t just about adding stuff; it also helps you manage what’s already there. You can use it to check what packages are installed, upgrade them to newer versions, or even uninstall them if you no longer need them. It’s like your all-in-one package management tool.

Easy_install in Python

Easy_install used to be a big deal in the Python world before pip came along and stole its thunder. While it still works fine, it’s kind of like the older sibling that’s been overshadowed by the younger, cooler one. Here’s what you need to know about it:

1. Package Installation: Like pip, easy_install also grabs packages from PyPI, but it’s not as smart when it comes to handling dependencies. It tends to install everything in one big directory, which can sometimes cause issues if different packages need different versions of the same thing.
2. Dependency Resolution: Easy_install’s way of figuring out what packages need to be installed isn’t as advanced as pip’s. So, if you have a project with lots of complex dependencies, it might struggle to get everything sorted out, leading to headaches.
3. Limited Features: Unlike pip, easy_install doesn’t have all the fancy features like virtual environments or requirements files. It’s a bit more basic, which can make managing dependencies in bigger projects a bit trickier.
4. Compatibility: While easy_install still plays nice with Python 2, it’s slowly fading into the background as pip takes the spotlight. Even in Python 2 projects, people are leaning more towards pip because it’s just better at what it does.

pip vs easy_install in Python

Feature	Pip	Easy_install
Package Installation	Installs packages from PyPI (Python Package Index)	Installs packages from PyPI
Dependency Resolution	Advanced dependency resolution mechanism, capable of handling complex dependency graphs	Less sophisticated dependency resolution, may struggle with complex dependencies
Virtual Environments	Supports virtual environments, allowing isolation of project dependencies	Does not support virtual environments
Requirements Files	Supports requirements.txt files for specifying project dependencies	Lacks support for requirements files
Package Management	Provides commands for listing, upgrading, and uninstalling packages	Limited package management capabilities
Compatibility	Compatible with both Python 2 and Python 3	Primarily used with Python 2
Popularity	Widely adopted within the Python community	Usage has declined in favor of pip