


This is a one time process where the user creates a virtual-environment and install python packages for use. These steps are done as follows: Creating a virtual-environment: To use python virtual-environment it needs to be created and prepared for usage, activated for use and deactivated after usage. For example: Say on Vortex, it is recommended for the user to use virtualenv instead of an upgrade of system numpy that may break other packages built on numpy 1.9.2. It creates an isolated environment for users to install packages of choice independent of the system. Virtual EnvironmentĪ python virtual environment is recommended if the packages/dependencies required by users' programs are not compatible with the pip packages installed on the system. This is true for Storm node types as well.

For example, a package installed by python/2.7.13/intel on Bora will not be available on anaconda3/4.4.0 on Bora or on python/2.7.13 on Vortex. It should be noted that the installation location is different for each python package and each sub-cluster, therefore a package installed using a python module will not be available in other python modules. This method can be also be used (with caution) to install packages that need to be used across multiple sub-clusters.įor packages supported by pip installation method, the following command will install the package in user's home directory: pip install -user This by default installs the package in a location defined by $PYTHONUSERBASE environment variable, which is defined in the python environment module loaded by the user.

The three modes of installing python packages are as follows: This document is intended to help users decide the mode of installation for their packages and illustrate the essential steps involved. For python packages required by individual users, it is recommended to try installing the packages in their home directories, whereas for packages required by a group a system-wide installation may be considered. The W&M HPC policy has recently changed so as to encourage users to install python packages in their home directories.
