How To Install Python Pip on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS

In this tutorial, we will show you how to install Python Pip on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. For those of you who didn’t know, Pip is a tool for installing Python packages. With pip, you can search, download, and install packages from Python Package Index (PyPI) and other package indexes. With the help of pip, you can also install the package of a particular version. Most importantly pip has a feature to manage full lists of packages and corresponding version numbers, possible through a “requirements” file. It performs the same basic job as an easy install, but with some extra features.

This article assumes you have at least basic knowledge of Linux, know how to use the shell, and most importantly, you host your site on your own VPS. The installation is quite simple and assumes you are running in the root account, if not you may need to add ‘sudo‘ to the commands to get root privileges. I will show you the step-by-step installation of Pip Python on a Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa) server. You can follow the same instructions for Ubuntu 18.04, 16.04, and any other Debian-based distribution like Linux Mint.

Prerequisites

• A server running one of the following operating systems: Ubuntu 20.04, 18.04, and any other Debian-based distribution like Linux Mint or elementary OS.
• It’s recommended that you use a fresh OS install to prevent any potential issues.
• A non-root sudo user or access to the root user. We recommend acting as a non-root sudo user, however, as you can harm your system if you’re not careful when acting as the root.

Install Python Pip on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Focal Fossa

Step 1. System Update.

First, make sure that all your system packages are up-to-date by running the following apt commands in the terminal.

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Updating ensures that your package list is current while upgrading installs the latest versions of all packages. This step is crucial before installing new software to avoid conflicts and ensure compatibility.

Step 2. Installing Pip Python on Ubuntu 20.04.

• Installing pip for Python 3.

To install Pip for Python 3, run the following command:

sudo apt install python3-pip

Verify the installation:

pip3 --version

• Installing pip for Python 2.

To install Python Pip for Python 2, run the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository universe
sudo apt update 
sudo apt install python2

Verify the installation by printing the pip version number:

pip2 --version

Step 3. Basic Usage pip command.

After installing the python-pip package, the pip command will be available on the system. There are multiple options available with the pip command:

To install the new python package type:

pip install Package_Names

For example, to install Ansible through Pip you would run the following command:

pip install scrapy

To uninstall python package installed by pip type:

pip uninstall Package_Names

To search python package type:

pip search Package_Names

For more Pip options and usage examples you can use the --help flag:

[root@idroot.us ~]# pip --help

Usage:   
  pip <command></command> [options]

Commands:
  install                     Install packages.
  uninstall                   Uninstall packages.
  freeze                      Output installed packages in requirements format.
  list                        List installed packages.
  show                        Show information about installed packages.
  search                      Search PyPI for packages.
  wheel                       Build wheels from your requirements.
  zip                         DEPRECATED. Zip individual packages.
  unzip                       DEPRECATED. Unzip individual packages.
  bundle                      DEPRECATED. Create pybundles.
  help                        Show help for commands.

General Options:
  -h, --help                  Show help.
  -v, --verbose               Give more output. Option is additive, and can be used up to 3 times.
  -V, --version               Show version and exit.
  -q, --quiet                 Give less output.
  --log-file            Path to a verbose non-appending log, that only logs failures. This
                              log is active by default at /home/sharad/.pip/pip.log.
  --log                 Path to a verbose appending log. This log is inactive by default.
  --proxy              Specify a proxy in the form [user:passwd@]proxy.server:port.
  --timeout              Set the socket timeout (default 15 seconds).
  --exists-action     Default action when a path already exists: (s)witch, (i)gnore,
                              (w)ipe, (b)ackup.
  --cert                Path to alternate CA bundle.
[root@idroot.us ~]#

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Pip. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing Pip Python on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Focal Fossa system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Python website.