====== Python Development Environment ======

Raspbian comes with both Python 2 and 3 IDLE installed, they can be accessed through the top bar **Menu > Programming > Python 2/3 (IDLE)**

To create a new Python file in IDLE, use the **File > New File** menu.\\
Write some Python code and **File > Save**.\\
Then run your script with **Run > Run Module (F5)**.

You can [[https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/usage/python/more.md|read more about Python on the Pi here]]...

===== Virtual Environments =====

In order to create multiple isolated Python environments we can use [[http://pypi.python.org/pypi/virtualenv|virtualenv]]. An explanation on using virtualenv is available on the [[http://docs.python-guide.org/en/latest/dev/virtualenvs/|Python guide website]].

We first need to globaly install virtualenv from pip:
<code>
> sudo pip install virtualenv
</code>

Then create a project folder and create a corresponding virtual environment:
<code>
> cd ~/path/to/my-project/
> virtualenv venv
[> virtualenv -p /usr/bin/python3 venv]  # to use a specific Python interpreter
</code>

Now that our virtual environment is created, we need to activate it:
<code>
[> cd /path/to/my-project]
> source venv/bin/activate
</code>

The name of the current virtual environment will now appear on the left of the prompt:
<code>
> (venv) pi@raspberrypi: ...
</code>

From that point, any package that we install using pip will be placed in the venv folder, isolated from the global Python installation. Like this:
<code>
> pip install requests
</code>

Once we are done working in the virtual environment, we deactivate it:
<code>
> deactivate
</code>