The “conda create” command is a functionality provided by the Conda package manager that allows you to create new Conda environments. Conda environments are isolated spaces where you can install and manage specific sets of packages and dependencies for different projects or purposes.
When you use the “conda create” command, you specify the desired name for the new environment and optionally provide additional specifications such as the Python version or a list of packages to be installed by default. Conda then creates a new environment with the specified name and installs the requested packages, ensuring that they are isolated from other environments on your system.
Creating separate environments with Conda offers several advantages. It allows you to have different versions of packages and dependencies for different projects, preventing conflicts between libraries or incompatible versions. Environments can also help you maintain reproducibility, as you can precisely control the package versions used in a specific project.
Here’s an example of how you can use the “conda create” command to create a new environment named “myenv”:
# conda create --name myenv
This command creates a new environment named “myenv” with the default Python version installed. You can activate this environment using the following command:
# conda activate myenv
Once activated, any subsequent package installations or executions of commands will be done within the “myenv” environment, isolating them from the rest of your system. You can also customize the creation of the environment by specifying additional arguments. For example, you can specify a particular Python version:
# conda create --name myenv python=3.9
Or you can include specific packages at the time of environment creation:
# conda create --name myenv numpy pandas matplotlib
This command creates the “myenv” environment and installs the “numpy,” “pandas,” and “matplotlib” packages by default.
Conda environments are flexible and can be managed easily. You can list all the environments on your system using the command:
# conda env list
To remove an environment, you can use the command:
# conda env remove --name myenv
conda create Command Examples
1. Create a new environment named py39, and install Python 3.9 and NumPy v1.11 or above in it:
# conda create --yes --name py39 python=3.9 "numpy>=1.11"
2. Make exact copy of an environment:
# conda create --clone py39 --name py39-copy
3. Create a new environment with a specified name and install a given package:
# conda create --name env_name package_name
Summary
In summary, the “conda create” command is used to create new Conda environments. These environments allow you to isolate packages and dependencies for different projects or purposes. By creating separate environments, you can prevent conflicts and maintain reproducibility. The “conda create” command offers flexibility in specifying the environment name, Python version, and default packages to be installed. Conda environments can be easily managed, activated, and removed, providing a powerful tool for package and environment management in your projects.