# Installing python on MacOS The Right Way

To completely avoid the MacOS python, start with brew or macport.
If you start with macports, you will not be using that python
version for much (ideally). But we need some, somewhat isolated
python to start with.

```
sudo port install python38
sudo port install py38-pip
sudo port select --set python python38
sudo port select --set pip pip38
sudo port select --set python3 python38

# One terrible feature of macport's version is that you can
# select and upgrade the python version and pip versions separately.
# This means you can be using the using .../bin/python38 but the pip is installing elsewhere

#alias pipx=/Users/aberezin/Library/Python/3.8/bin/pipx
sudo pip install virtualenv
sudo pip install virtualenvwrapper
#dont know why the wrapper is here but I symlink it to better place
mkdir -p ~/.local/bin
ln -s /opt/local/Library//Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.8/bin/virtualenvwrapper.sh ~/.local/bin/virtualenvwrapper.sh
#I am also going to install virtualenv here
#But pipx should be used sparingly since it adds a layer of complexity
#I am only using it to exec virtualenv
pip install pipx
#now make it hard to use pip outside a virtualenv
export PIP_REQUIRE_VIRTUALENV=1
mkvirtualenv py38
```