How do you manage dependencies in Python web development?
Managing dependencies in Python web development is crucial for ensuring your project runs smoothly and remains maintainable. The primary tool for handling dependencies in Python is pip, the package installer. To manage project dependencies effectively, it's best to use a requirements.txt file. This file lists all the packages your project depends on, along with their versions. You can generate this file by running pip freeze > requirements.txt, and later install the dependencies with pip install -r requirements.txt.
For more advanced dependency management, consider using tools like Poetry or Pipenv. Poetry offers a more modern approach by handling dependency resolution and package management in a more streamlined way, including managing a pyproject.toml file. Pipenv, on the other hand, integrates pip and virtualenv, providing an easy-to-use interface for managing packages and virtual environments with a Pipfile and Pipfile.lock.
Additionally, using virtual environments with tools like venv or virtualenv isolates your project's dependencies from the global Python environment, preventing version conflicts and maintaining a clean workspace.
For a comprehensive understanding of these tools and practices, a full stack web developer course can provide in-depth knowledge and practical experience.