Working with Python

Python version and module

We are currently using Python/3.10.8-GCCcore-12.2.0 as our default module.

Setting up a virtual environment

A Python 3 virtual environment can be set up and activated as follows:

#check the version of python3 and the toolchain that you are using
python3 --version

# in this example we are using Python 3.10.8 built with GCCcore-12.2.0

#check the CPU architecture
cat /sys/devices/cpu/caps/pmu_name

# in this example we are using skylake

# make the virtual environment
# it is a good idea to keep track of the python version, tool chain and CPU
# architecture in the name of the folder used for the environment.
# the "--prompt" argument specifies the name that will be displayed
# when the environmet is active.
python3 -m venv --prompt=py3108_sky_venv ~/devel/venvs/python-3.10.8-GCCcore-12.2.0-skylake

# activate the virtual environment
source ~/devel/venvs/python-3.10.8-GCCcore-12.2.0-skylake/bin/activate

# update pip
pip install --upgrade pip

# deactivate the environment
deactivate