How to Install pip on Ubuntu: A Complete Guide for Beginners

Learn how to install pip on Ubuntu, the preferred package manager for Python projects, and manage your Python dependencies efficiently.

What is pip?

pip, which stands for ‘pip Installs Packages’, is a powerful package management system for Python. It is designed to install, update, and remove Python packages with ease, offering features like the ability to select specific software versions and manage dependencies automatically. This makes pip an essential tool for setting up a hosting environment for Python projects, ensuring compatibility and functionality.

Prerequisites For Installing pip on Ubuntu

To begin with, make sure you have a VPS running a newer version of the Ubuntu operating system, such as 24.04. Using an outdated version might result in different installation commands. At Hostinger, our VPS hosting supports a variety of operating systems and software, simplifying the pip installation and Python deployment process. Our one-click VPS operating system templates make setting up various Linux distros and applications a breeze. For instance, our OpenLiteSpeed and Django template can accelerate Python deployment. Additionally, tools like the Browser Terminal and Kodee, our AI Assistant, help streamline server management tasks.

How to Install pip on Ubuntu

Once you’ve purchased a Hostinger VPS hosting plan and set up Ubuntu 24.04, follow these steps to install pip.

1. Connect to Your VPS and Create a New Account

To execute commands on your VPS, connect using the secure shell (SSH) protocol. While Linux or macOS users can use Terminal, this tutorial will employ the PuTTY client, compatible with Windows and other operating systems. After installing PuTTY, open the application, enter your VPS IP address, click ‘Open’, and log in as the root user. Hostinger users can find their VPS login information in the VPS overview area.

Since running Linux commands as root is risky due to the lack of confirmation, create a new superuser with the following command:

adduser your-username

Enter your new user’s password and other details. Then, grant the account administrative privileges by adding it to the sudo group:

usermod -a -G sudo your-username

Switch to the new user with the command:

su your-username

Once your command-line name changes, enter cd to return to the home directory, and proceed with the installation.

2. Update Your System Package Repository

First, update your system’s package list to ensure you install the latest software version:

sudo apt update

Enter the user password and press ‘Y’ if prompted for confirmation. Optionally, install the latest available patch to avoid compatibility issues:

sudo apt upgrade

3. Install the Python pip Package

For pip to work correctly, Python must be installed as the interpreter. Check your system for Python with the command:

python3 -V

If the version number is returned, Python is installed. Otherwise, configure it manually with:

sudo apt install python3

Press ‘Y’ and ‘Enter’ to confirm the setup. Then, install pip and its dependencies with:

sudo apt install python3-pip

Check the pip installation with:

pip3 --version

To update pip, run:

sudo pip3 install --upgrade pip

Note: Use pip3 for Python 3 environments, as pip is suitable for Python 2.

4. Use pip to Manage Python Packages

Before installing packages, understand pip’s functionality. Unlike default Linux package managers, pip uses the Python Package Index (PyPI), a comprehensive repository. It checks for and installs necessary dependencies automatically. To install a Python module, use:

sudo pip install package-name

Replace package-name with the desired software, such as:

sudo pip3 install scrapy

For a specific package version, append the version number:

sudo pip3 install scrapy==1.5

List installed pip packages and their versions with:

sudo pip3 list

To update a package, use:

sudo pip3 install scrapy --upgrade

Remove a package with:

sudo pip3 uninstall package-name

To remove dependencies, list their names in a TXT file and use:

sudo pip3 uninstall package-name -r dependency_list.txt

For more utilities, refer to the pip documentation or use Kodee for command generation.

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Conclusion

pip is an invaluable tool for managing Python software packages, crucial for preparing your hosting environment before deployment. This tutorial walked you through installing pip on an Ubuntu server. After securing a Linux VPS hosting plan from Hostinger and installing Ubuntu 24.04, follow these steps:

Access your VPS using an SSH client or Terminal and create a new superuser account.
Update your system’s repository using apt update and apt upgrade to get the latest package version.
Configure Python3 and Pip3 using the apt install command.
Manage packages from the Python Package Index using pip3 commands.

For additional assistance with pip commands, leverage Kodee’s capabilities.

How to Install Python pip on Ubuntu FAQ

To enhance your understanding, here are answers to some common questions about installing pip on Ubuntu.

What Is the Command to Check if pip Is Installed on Ubuntu?

To verify pip installation, query its version using the pip3 --version command. If a version number is displayed, pip is configured correctly; otherwise, an error indicates it is not installed.

Are There Any Dependencies for Installing pip on Ubuntu?

Yes, before installing pip3, ensure Python 3 is configured using the apt install python3 command. Remember, pip3 is specifically for Python 3 environments.

How Do I Update pip on Ubuntu?

To update pip, execute the pip3 install --upgrade command. This will fetch the latest version from PyPI, eliminating the need for a prior apt update.

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