Is it acceptable and safe to run pip install under sudo?

Question

I\'ve started to use my Mac to install Python packages in the same way I do with my Windows PC at work; however on my Mac I\'ve come across frequent permission denied

Answer 1

Use a virtual environment:

$ virtualenv myenv
.. some output ..
$ source myenv/bin/activate
(myenv) $ pip install what-i-want

You only use sudo or elevated permissions when you want to install stuff for the global, system-wide Python installation.

It is best to use a virtual environment which isolates packages for you. That way you can play around without polluting the global python install.

As a bonus, virtualenv does not need elevated permissions.