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Pip tools” is a collection of command-line utilities for managing Python package requirements. It helps you manage and generate “requirements.txt” files, which list the packages required for a Python project. These tools are useful for ensuring that your project’s dependencies are pinned to specific versions, which aids in reproducibility and consistency across different environments.

The primary tools within “pip-tools” include:

1. pip-compile: This tool takes a “requirements.in” file (a file listing high-level package requirements) and generates a “requirements.txt” file (a file containing pinned package versions). It ensures that the packages and their versions listed in the “requirements.txt” are compatible and satisfy the dependencies specified in “requirements.in”.

2. pip-sync: This tool reads the “requirements.txt” file and ensures that the current Python environment matches the dependencies listed in the file. It installs, upgrades, or removes packages as necessary to achieve a consistent state.

The primary purpose of “pip tools” is to help developers and maintainers manage their project dependencies more effectively. By using the “requirements.in” file, developers can specify the packages and their version constraints at a higher level, and then use “pip-compile” to generate a precise “requirements.txt” file. This approach allows for better control over package versions and simplifies the process of creating a virtual environment with specific dependencies.

To get started with “pip tools,” you can install it via pip:

After installation, you can create a “requirements.in” file and add your high-level package requirements, then use pip-compile to generate the corresponding “requirements.txt” file. Once you have the “requirements.txt” file, you can use pip-sync to ensure your Python environment matches the listed dependencies.

Example “requirements.in” file:

To generate the “requirements.txt” file:

This will create a “requirements.txt” file with the pinned versions of the specified packages and their dependencies.

Keep in mind that this information is accurate as of my last update in September 2021, and there might have been updates or changes to “pip-tools” beyond that time.