How to install pip with Python 3?

Question

I want to install pip. It should support Python 3, but it requires setuptools, which is available only for Python 2.

How can I install pip with Python 3?

Answer 1

Assuming you are in a highly restricted computer env (such as myself) without root access or ability to install packages...

I had never setup a fresh/standalone/raw/non-root instance of Python+virtualenv before this post. I had do quite a bit of Googling to make this work.

1. Decide if you are using python (python2) or python3 and set your PATH correctly. (I am strictly a python3 user.) All commands below can substitute python3 for python if you are python2 user.
2. wget https://pypi.python.org/packages/source/v/virtualenv/virtualenv-x.y.z.tar.gz
3. tar -xzvf virtualenv-x.y.z.tar.gz
4. python3 virtualenv-x.y.z/virtualenv.py --python $(which python3) /path/to/new/virtualenv
5. source /path/to/new/virtualenv/bin/activate
   • Assumes you are using a Bourne-compatible shell, e.g., bash
   • Brilliantly, this virtualenv package includes a standalone version of pip and setuptools that are auto-magically installed into each new virtualenv. This solves the chicken and egg problem.
   • You may want to create an alias (or update your ~/.bashrc, etc.) for this final command to activate the python virtualenv during each login. It can be a pain to remember all these paths and commands.
6. Check your version of python now: which python3 should give: /path/to/new/virtualenv/bin/python3
7. Check pip is also available in the virtualenv via which pip... should give: /path/to/new/virtualenv/bin/pip

Then... pip, pip, pip!

Final tip to newbie Pythoneers: You don't think you need virtualenv when you start, but you will be happy to have it later. Helps with "what if" installation / upgrade scenarios for open source / shared packages.

Ref: https://virtualenv.pypa.io/en/latest/installation.html