Windows Command Prompt

OnMacit’s called theTerminal:

MacOs Terminal

Depending on your operating system you can execute the following commands to install a virtual environment:

• The first command you’ll need to run is:

python3 -m venv project_env

Thevenvis a module that expects an environment name followed after it. The environment name is what your virtual environment will be called, almost like naming a file. Make sure there are no spaces in the environment name as it wouldn’t be recognized later on, instead use camel case or_or-in place of space. In this case, the example’s environment name isproject_env, but you can name it whatever you want.

• After the command is executed, your environment should be created in a few seconds. There will be no indication that the environment is created, however, you just need to activate it. Activation is a little different depending on what operating system you’re using:

On Windows, you need to begin the command with your environment name followed byScripts\activate.batlike so:

project_env\Scripts\.activate.bat

On Mac, you need to begin the command withsourcefollowed by your environment name followed bybin/activatelike so:

source project_env/bin/activate

You can tell if you’re in the virtual environment because your command prompt/terminal will have the name of the environment in parenthesis before every directory like so:(project_env). Same on both Windows and Mac.

On Windows:

(project_env) c:\Users\username>

On Mac:

(project_env) username ~ %

Installing Django in our virtual environment

Now that you have your virtual environment installed and activated, you can install Django. Installing Django uses the same steps for both Windows and Mac.

• The first command we’ll need to run is

pip3 install django

This command will automatically install the latest version of Django for use.

However, if we want to install a specific version of Django we can use the following command:

pip3 install Django==3.2

This might be useful if you’re in a team and everyone needs to be in a specific version of Django.

• Whichever command you decide to use, it may take up to 30 seconds or longer to install Django depending on your internet speed. If Django was successfully installed you’ll get a message ofSuccessfully installed django-X.X. Where theX.Xis the version number, like3.2.
• You can further check what version of Django you’re on by using the command:

Django Installation success Message

django-admin --version

Conclusion

Congratulations, you learned how to install a virtual environment so that you can properly work on a project on your own computer! Then you were able to install Django in your virtual environment and check what version was installed. Well done on taking your first steps to master Django, have fun creating amazing projects!

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