Pip vs. Conda: When Should You Use Each Package Manager?

Understanding the Distinction Between pip and conda

While pip is a package manager primarily предназначенный для Python packages, conda stands apart as a more comprehensive tool that also handles dependencies outside the scope of Python.

Non-Python Dependencies

Pip focuses exclusively on Python packages, while conda extends its capabilities to encompass non-Python libraries as well. This broader scope allows conda to manage dependencies such as HDF5, MKL, and LLVM, which do not conform to the setup.py format and do not install into Python's site-packages directory.

Virtual Environment

Another key distinction is the ability of conda to create virtual environments, similar to virtualenv. This feature enables the separation of different package installations, ensuring compatibility between projects that may require different package versions or configurations.

Comparison to Buildout

In terms of functionality, conda aligns more closely with Buildout, another tool that facilitates the installation and management of both Python and non-Python dependencies. However, it's important to note that conda introduces a new packaging format, making it incompatible with pip.

Interoperability

Due to the distinct packaging formats employed by conda and pip, there is no direct interchangeability between the two tools. While you can install pip through conda (conda install pip), it cannot install packages in the conda format.

Complementary Use

Despite their differences, conda and pip can be effectively used in conjunction. In cases where a particular package is not available as a conda package but is available on PyPI, it is practical to combine the use of both tools.

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