Section 1.1: Understanding Dependencies

As a developer, you may find yourself juggling multiple projects, each potentially requiring a different version of Python. I'll guide you on how to set up pyenv, which allows you to switch between various Python versions effortlessly.

Managing packages and dependencies can quickly become overwhelming. To address this, I will introduce Poetry, which creates isolated environments to prevent dependency conflicts across projects.

Subsection 1.1.1: Benefits of Isolated Environments

Once we have our integrated development environment (IDE) set up and dependencies managed effectively, I will demonstrate how to configure pytest and explain the value of small tests for modular code. Finally, I will walk you through implementing Safety, a tool for scanning dependencies and enhancing your application's security.

Section 1.2: Setting Up Pyenv

As companies expand, so does their codebase. Developers frequently update applications based on business needs, and new versions are released regularly. This release cycle mirrors that of programming languages, where bugs are identified, resolved, and subsequently released, each marked by a three-digit semantic versioning system.

To install pyenv, I recommend using Homebrew. For those using Ubuntu, you can refer to the related article linked below.

brew install pyenv

Next, you will need to add pyenv to your PATH to ensure your system uses the Python version managed by pyenv instead of the default one. Since zsh is the default shell on macOS, add the following to your ~/.zshrc file:

# Add pyenv to PATH

export PATH="$HOME/.pyenv/bin:$PATH"

To verify that pyenv is correctly set up, type:

pyenv path

If the output differs from what you expect, you may have overlooked sourcing your .zshrc file.

Section 1.3: Utilizing Pyenv Commands

The command-line interface is user-friendly. Simply typing pyenv in your terminal will display a list of useful commands:

pyenv commands

To view the available Python versions for installation, use:

pyenv install --list

Choose the version you require and install it easily:

pyenv install <version>

After installation, ensure the version is set globally:

pyenv global <version>

To confirm the active version, use:

pyenv version

At this stage, you should have pyenv configured with multiple Python versions installed. I have shown you how to add pyenv to your PATH and set a specific version globally. In the next article, I will guide you on how to set up Poetry. Thank you for reading! If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. I look forward to your feedback!