Using the -e Option with pip install for Editable Installations

The -e or --editable option available in pip install serves a specific purpose in development workflows. It facilitates the installation of projects in editable mode, which enables seamless integration with local source code modifications.

When to Use -e

The -e option is particularly useful for local development purposes, especially when you're actively working on and updating a package within the same machine. By specifying -e or --editable, you instruct pip to install the package in a manner that links it directly to its original source directory.

How -e Works

Unlike a standard installation, -e doesn't create a self-contained and isolated package environment. Instead, it establishes a symbolic link between the installed package and its source code, typically maintaining the path to the setup.py file within the project. This allows you to make modifications directly to the source code, and those changes are immediately reflected in the installed package's behavior.

Benefits of -e

Using -e for editable installations offers several advantages:

• Quick and convenient: Developers can iterate on the package and test changes swiftly, without requiring the overhead of repeated installations.
• No need for reinstallation: Code modifications can be tested immediately, eliminating the need to manually reinstall or upgrade the package.
• Direct modification: Developers have the flexibility to edit and debug the package's source code directly from their preferred IDE.

Usage Example

An editable installation can be executed using a command like:

pip install -e .

This assumes the setup.py file is located in the current working directory. Alternatively, you can specify the full path to the source directory:

pip install -e ~/ultimate-utils/ultimate-utils-proj-src/