First real project: pandas, matplotlib, and one library whose docs mention needing a compiler. I have 40GB free on the laptop and no strong feelings either way. Every tutorial assumes I have already chosen. What actually matters at my level?
Mild disagreement on the order. Try python -m venv and pip first, because most packages that used to need a compiler now ship Windows wheels. If it installs, you have saved yourself a whole parallel package manager. If it fails with a wall of red about vcvarsall, then reach for conda.
Fair, and probably the better order of operations. Try the light thing first.
Whatever you choose, do not install packages system-wide 'just this once'. That is the road to the ModuleNotFoundError threads.
40GB is plenty for either. Space is not the deciding factor at this scale.
@etcd_eli · 9mo ago · 2 replies
Conda for this specific project, because of the compiler line. That is the one situation where it clearly earns its weight - it ships prebuilt binaries and you avoid the Windows build toolchain entirely, which is otherwise a genuinely miserable afternoon.
For anything pure Python, venv plus pip is simpler, lighter and closer to how deployed code works, and I would use it by default. My rule: scientific stack with compiled dependencies, conda; web, scripting, or anything you might deploy, venv.
Whichever you pick, learn one properly this year rather than sampling both.
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@gitreflog_saved · 9mo ago
The compiler line was the bit I could not evaluate. That helps.
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