# A real simple and quick VirtualEnv guide

A real quick and simple note on creating Virtual Environments in Python. 


# Setup
You'll need Python3 installed, with Pip, and VirtualEnv installed. 


## virtualenv with pip
First, install virtualenv using pip

```bash 
pip3 install virtualenv
```

Then create a virtualenv at the path ~/venv/myvenv

### mac or windows
```bash
#method 1
python3 -m venv ~/venv/myvenv


#method 2 
virtualenv ~/venv/myvenv -p python3

```
Don't forget to activate
### unix
```bash
source ~/venv/myvenv/bin/activate
```

### windows
```powershell
~/venv/myvenv/Scripts/activate.ps1
```

Of course, you'll validate that you're activated by the parenthesized env name  

```bash
(myvenv) $ which python
/home/dir/venv/myvenv/bin/python
```

### unix 

You can "shabang" your python scripts directly to this instance of python that includes your modules, that way your scripts always run with the correct version. Keep in mind the portability of your script though, as this path may change on other devices. 
```python
#!/home/dir/venv/myvenv/bin/python
```

Exit your venv with the command: 
``` bash
deactivate
```


## Using pipenv 
Using pipenv can simplify the virtualenv process tremendously 

You can install with your local package manager (apt, dnf, pkg, pip, brew) 

### windows 
```powershell
pip install pipenv 
```

### mac
```bash
brew install pipenv
```

Navigate to your development directory and run this to create a Python3 environment. 
```bash
pipenv --three
```

The Pipfile manages what's needed for the project. Now use pipenv to install packages
```bash
pipenv install bs4
```
output
```bash
Installing bs4...
Adding bs4 to Pipfile's [packages]...
✔ Installation Succeeded
Pipfile.lock not found, creating...
Locking [dev-packages] dependencies...
Locking [packages] dependencies...
Building requirements...
Resolving dependencies...
✔ Success!
Updated Pipfile.lock (8cf921)!
Installing dependencies from Pipfile.lock (8cf921)...
  🐍   ▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉ 0/0 — 00:00:00
To activate this project's virtualenv, run pipenv shell.
Alternatively, run a command inside the virtualenv with pipenv run.
```


You can run your script with any of these commands
```bash
###straight python from the project dir
.venv/bin/python bs4test.py


###from the pipenv shell
pipenv shell 
python bs4test.py


###with pipenv run 
pipenv run python bs4test.py
```
I'm still learning the tricks of pipenv, so I'll have another writeup on the value of pipenv in the future. 

- AJ