October 28, 2008
pip first released
Ian Bicking released pip on October 28, 2008 — the PythonA high-level language known for readability — dominant in data science, scripting, and web backends. package installer that replaced easy_install for most developers.
What it was for
pip installs packages from PyPI with `pip install requests`, records versions in `requirements.txt`, and supports virtual environments. It became the standard way PythonA high-level language known for readability — dominant in data science, scripting, and web backends. projects manage dependencies — Django, Flask, data science stacks, and ML pipelines all start with pip. The PyPA now maintains it.
Why it's here
pip made PythonA high-level language known for readability — dominant in data science, scripting, and web backends. dependency management predictable after the frustrations of easy_install.
Why it mattered
It established requirements files and PyPI as the default PythonA high-level language known for readability — dominant in data science, scripting, and web backends. packaging workflow.
What it solved
PythonA high-level language known for readability — dominant in data science, scripting, and web backends. lacked a simple, reliable installer that handled uninstalls and version pinning well.
Media
ImagePip (package manager)Cedar101, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Related
- npm first releasedJanuary 12, 2010
- Python 2.7 releasedJuly 3, 2010
- Cargo 1.0 releasedMay 15, 2015