Installing ics.py

Checking your Python & pip version

Make sure you have Python available. Type:

$ python --version

You should get an output like 3.6.10. This package needs a minimal version of Python 3.6.

Some systems still distinguish between Python 2 and Python 3. Since 2020, Python 2 is deprecated. If the command above replies with 2.7.x, you should replace the command python with python3 and run it again.

Installing with pip

What is pip?

The command pip [1] is the Python package manager. Usually, you use a pip in combination with a virtual Python environment to install packages.

What is a “Virtual Python Environment”?

A virtual Python environment “is an isolated runtime environment that allows Python users and applications to install and upgrade Python distribution packages without interfering with the behaviour of other Python applications running on the same system.”[2]

Install ics.py with pip

To use pip, you can install the ics.py package with or without a virtual Python environment:

With a virtual Python environment (preferred)

  1. Start a terminal (in Windows: open up a command prompt window).

  2. In your project directory, create a virtual Python environment first:

  • For Linux and MacOS, run:

    $ python3 -m venv .env

  • For Windows, run:

    > python -m venv %systemdrive%%homepath%\.env

  1. Activate the environment:

    • For Linux and MacOS, run:

      $ source .env/bin/activate

    • For Windows, run:

      > %systemdrive%%homepath%\.env\Scripts\activate.bat

    The prompt will change and show (.env).

  2. Install the package:

    $ pip install ics

  3. If you do not need the virtual Python environment anymore, run the command deactivate.

Without a virtual Python environment

Depending on your operating system, you need root privileges to install a package with pip. To avoid compromising your system installation, we recommend to use a virtual Python environment.

However, if you really want to, run:

$ pip install ics

Regardless which method you use, the command pip list shows you a list of all installed packages. The list should contain the ics.py package.

Footnotes