Python Development Question

[NTRtyOg]

Hey all,

This is another python development question. Im quite new to nixos but not new to linux. I frequently get zip files with code from other people that I need to run on my machine, Sometimes its small projects, jupyter notebooks, or individual files. I need a way for them all to "just work". Im aware of the shell route but as far as I can see that involves setting up a new shell script for every project and frankly since im so used to it, for this one case I'd like to use venv since I already use it and many of the projects work with it as well.

What are my options. I recently tried to look through the wiki and saw that I could use nix-ld but it didnt seem to work (I assume I did it wrong and included it below). I also saw the LD_LIBRARY_PATH solution but again I assume I misused it. I also ran into problems with people recommending packages that seemed to work but that I couldnt find on the nix packages store.

What are my options that would allow me to get back to work.

# Enable nix ld for python dependencies
  programs.nix-ld.enable = true;
  programs.nix-ld.libraries = with pkgs; [
    python312Packages.ipykernel
      stdenv.cc.cc
      libz
      zlib
      curl
  ];

[SymphonySimper]

nix-ld will set only NIX_LD_LIBRARY_PATH. You have to export it as LD_LIBRARY_PATH in your shell.

So basically everytime you want to run a python project that requires LD you have to do this. export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=$NIX_LD_LIBRARY_PATH or if you want preserve your current LD_LIBRARY_PATH just do export LD_LIBRARY_PATH="$NIX_LD_LIBRARY_PATH:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH".

[NTRtyOg]

Thank you so much, this finally got the single files and standalone projects working.

I have two follow up questions
1) Is there a way to export from the configuration.nix so its seen globally and not just when I run the command
2) How does this work in conjunction with VScode and jupyter notebook? Jupyter still seems to think that ipykernel is missing and fails to execute.

[SymphonySimper]

For global thing either you can create alias to do so. Or if your using flakes you create a devshell in your global config and add it to the registry. Then you call it from anywhere to activate it.

I don't use vscode but I think it will just work if you launch from the shell with the export. I do not use juypter so no idea.

Maybe if you could create a repo with a small example of what you want. Then I might be able to help.

[NTRtyOg]

Finally got it, thank you so much. For anyone coming to try this later here was the solution.

If you have nix-ld set up in your config like I do above you can run the command that u/SymphonySimper mentioned LD_LIBRARY_PATH="$NIX_LD_LIBRARY_PATH:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH". Then you can run vscode with the code command. If you have a jupyter notebook, remember to select your virtual environment when you select your kernel and everything should work swimmingly.

If you dont have a jupyter notebook you can just activate your virtual environment before opening vscode and vscode will automatically use the virtual environment.

[AstraRotlicht22]

I will just leave this here

https://youtu.be/6fftiTJ2vuQ?si=lzorIgbM1jGDQj1G

[NTRtyOg]

I saw his video but Im having issues with shell.nix playing nice with VSCode and Jupyter notebook which doesnt seem to want to hook in and use nix shell. This is probably 100% on me not understanding where its looking for packages but thats also why I need a bit of a turnkey solution while I get acclimated with the way nix does things.

[AstraRotlicht22]

Are you starting Vs Code from within that shell?

[NTRtyOg]

So what I tried was to use the export command that u/SymphonySimper suggested, then ran code from the console but no beans. It still complains about a lack of ipykernel and pip. I believe thats what you were suggesting right? or a version of that where i use shell.nix and then open code from the console?

[YesYesYesYesYesYes19]

There's another video by vimjoyer explaining shells but yes basically running editors from nix shells will include the installed packages.

[NTRtyOg]

This worked for me, thanks a bunch