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Python Virtual Environment Setup for ML Project

Objective​

Set up a standardized Python virtual environment for a machine learning project and generate a dependency file for reproducibility.

Requirements​

  • Create a Python virtual environment named ml-env.

  • Install the following packages:

    • numpy
    • pandas
    • scikit-learn
    • matplotlib

  • Generate a requirements.txt file using pip freeze.

Prerequisites​

Verify Python 3 is installed:

python3 --version

Expected output:

Python 3.x.x

Step 1: Create the Working Directory​

mkdir -p /root/code

Verify:

ls -ld /root/code

Step 2: Create the Virtual Environment​

Create a virtual environment named ml-env under /root/code.

python3 -m venv /root/code/ml-env

Verify:

ls /root/code

Expected output:

ml-env

Step 3: Activate the Virtual Environment​

source /root/code/ml-env/bin/activate

Your shell prompt should now display:

(ml-env)

Verify the Python interpreter:

which python

Expected output:

/root/code/ml-env/bin/python

Step 4: Install Required ML Libraries​

Install the required machine learning and data analysis packages:

pip install numpy pandas scikit-learn matplotlib

Verify installed packages:

pip list

Example output:

Package        Version
-------------- -------
numpy          x.x.x
pandas         x.x.x
scikit-learn   x.x.x
matplotlib     x.x.x

Step 5: Generate requirements.txt​

Create a dependency snapshot using pip freeze.

pip freeze > /root/code/requirements.txt

Verify:

cat /root/code/requirements.txt

Example output:

numpy==2.x.x
pandas==2.x.x
scikit-learn==1.x.x
matplotlib==3.x.x
...

Validation Checklist​

Verify Virtual Environment​

ls -ld /root/code/ml-env

Verify Installed Packages​

pip show numpy pandas scikit-learn matplotlib

Verify Requirements File​

ls -l /root/code/requirements.txt

Complete Command Sequence​

mkdir -p /root/code

python3 -m venv /root/code/ml-env

source /root/code/ml-env/bin/activate

pip install numpy pandas scikit-learn matplotlib

pip freeze > /root/code/requirements.txt

Expected Directory Structure​

/root/code
├── ml-env/
│   ├── bin/
│   ├── lib/
│   └── pyvenv.cfg
└── requirements.txt

Common Issues​

requirements.txt Not Found​

Incorrect:

cat requirment.txt

Correct:

cat requirements.txt

Virtual Environment Not Activated​

Check:

which python

If the output does not point to:

/root/code/ml-env/bin/python

activate the environment again:

source /root/code/ml-env/bin/activate

Empty requirements.txt​

Ensure packages are installed before running:

pip freeze > requirements.txt

Verify package installation:

pip list