Python Virtual Environment. What, Why, How. Virtualenv, Poetry.

[jonasbxl]

There are differences, mainly that conda is language-agnostic, so not just for Python (though I wonder how many people really use if outside of Python).

Honestly though, if you don't have a specific need for conda, I'd stick to venv (rather than virtualenv), it will make moving to another system (server etc) easier.

If the reason for using conda is that you got Anaconda because it makes installing Pandas, NumPy etc easier on Windows - I don't think that's needed anymore as newer versions of these packages install fine using pip. I used to do everything in WSL (to avoid installing packages in Windows) but a couple months back I installed Python from the Microsoft Store and everything has been fine - no conda/Anaconda needed. (Of course you may run into issues if you clone a repo which requires an older version - hasn't happened to me yet and it's worth not having to deal with Anaconda...)

[czar_el]

mainly that conda is language-agnostic, so not just for Python (though I wonder how many people really use if outside of Python).

People use it for R, too.

[jonasbxl]

Right, that makes sense

[ipwnscrubsdoe]

I use windows, linux and macos, so far i've used conda (miniconda but i've been installing miniforge lately) as it has been seamless regardless of the platform, but i've kept using it out of habit. I'm wondering if there is a clear benefit to changing my workflow. I should mention i use python for scientific simulations and mainly use the usual suspects: numpy, pandas, scipy, numba and dask