I'm curious about why modern Debian and Ubuntu distributions rely on Python as a core system language. Is there a way to uninstall Python altogether? It feels frustrating that I can't just use pip to install packages without having to create a virtual environment first, especially since system Python packages seem to be protected.
6 Answers
Using a virtual environment might seem tricky at first, but it’s really just about learning a few commands! Python's strength lies in its versatility—as a scripting language, it helps glue together many applications and utilities in your system. Plus, there are plenty of virtual environment managers out there to make your life easier.
I think a lot of the basic packages in most distributions leverage Python in some way. This dependency helps explain why those who tried to remove Python often ended up with a broken system.
You might raise some eyebrows, but I always set PIP_BREAK_SYSTEM_PACKAGES=1 in my setup. If you avoid using `sudo pip install ...` and just run `pip install ...`, you can locally install packages without affecting the system. If things go south, cleaning up is pretty straightforward, and with tools like `pipx`, the risk is minimal.
It's not just Debian or Ubuntu—Python has become a staple in the entire Linux ecosystem because many applications are written in it. It's everywhere!
Most distributions are designed with Python in mind, so it's better to work within the framework and just use virtual environments!
Python is pretty integral to many systems, like macOS. It’s like messing with core libraries; you don’t want to risk breaking anything. Instead, just stick with the virtual environment approach, and you might actually find it benefits you in the long run!
I get that some folks dislike Python's syntax and structure. It's not for everyone, but it’s a solid tool in many cases.