Python PIP is the package manager used to install, update and manage Python packages and libraries. It allows users to easily download packages from the Python Package Index (PyPI) directly through the command line. PIP is commonly used to add external libraries that are not included with Python by default.

The basic syntax of a PIP command is:

pip <command>

Check PIP Version

Use the following command in the terminal or command prompt to check whether PIP is installed:

pip --version

This command displays the installed version of PIP.

If PIP is not installed on your system, refer to this article Python pip Installation.

Installing Packages

PIP provides the install command to download and install Python packages from PyPI. For example, the following command installs the NumPy package. Below is the syntax:

pip install package_name

For Example:

pip install numpy

Output When Package is Not Installed

Output When Package is Already Installed

Install Specific Package Version

You can install a specific version of a package using the == operator with the package name. Below is the syntax:

pip install package_name==version

Example:

pip install numpy==1.26.4

This command installs version 1.26.4 of the NumPy package.

Viewing Package Information

The pip show command is used to display details about an installed package such as version, location and dependencies. Below is the syntax:

pip show package_name

Example: 

pip show numpy

Listing Installed Packages

The pip list command is used to display all packages installed in the current Python environment. Below is the syntax:

pip list

Example: 

Uninstalling Packages

The pip uninstall command is used to remove an installed package from the system. Below is the syntax:

pip uninstall package_name

Example: 

pip uninstall numpy

Note: This command removes only the selected package. Dependencies installed separately are not removed automatically.

Using Requirements File

A requirements.txt file is used to install multiple packages at once. Below is the requirements.txt:

Syntax: 

pip install -r requirements.txt

Example: 

Listing Installed Packages

The pip freeze command displays installed packages along with their versions. Below is the syntax:

pip freeze

Example: 

Listing Outdated Packages

The pip list --outdated command shows packages that have newer versions available. Below is the syntax:

pip list --outdated

Example:

Upgrading Packages

The pip install --upgrade command updates a package to the latest version. Below is the syntax:

pip install --upgrade package_name

Example:

pip install --upgrade numpy

We can also upgrade any package to a specific version using the below command.

pip install --upgrade numpy==2.0.0

Downgrading Packages

You can install an older version of a package by specifying the required version. Below is the syntax:

pip install package_name==version

Example:

pip install numpy==1.26.4

Related Articles:

• Python
• Python Packages