Python VEnv Setup: A Rails Developer's Survival Guide 🐍

Hey everyone!

Ever been in a situation where you solve a tricky technical problem, celebrate your victory, only to face the exact same problem months later with no memory of your brilliant solution? 😅 That's exactly what happened to me, and it taught me a valuable lesson about documenting those "one-off" solutions.

The Genesis of a Python Problem 💡

In our project, we had a unique requirement: efficiently manage feature flags. Our solution involved moving one of our API endpoints to an AWS Lambda Function. My task? Replicate the existing API response using Python and, of course, use the same environment variables. Sounds straightforward, right?

Initially, it felt like smooth sailing. I got hold of the existing Python code used for authorization, analyzed how to handle requests and responses, and started writing my own. But then came the pain point: setting up a Python virtual environment (venv). As a Rails developer, Python venvs were a foreign concept to me. I was completely lost! 😵‍💫

I scoured the web, consulted AI, and eventually, with some help from my Python-savvy teammates, I managed to set up the venv and get my code working locally. Phew!

The Deployment Gauntlet 🚀

But the challenges didn't stop there. When deploying the code to Lambda, I ran into package issues. No idea why! 🤔 Thankfully, sharing the local packages from my venv (a quick fix suggested by a teammate) resolved the deployment woes. After a bit more testing, it was finally in production and working perfectly! 🎉

Deja Vu... Six Months Later! 🤦‍♂️

Fast forward six months. We needed to migrate another API using the same approach. And guess what? I'd completely forgotten the venv setup steps! It felt like a joke, but it wasn't. While the DevOps and code changes were fresh in my mind, the local Python setup was a blank slate. I had to start from scratch.

However, this time, with the help of AI and some residual knowledge tucked away in my brain, I managed to get it done much faster.

The Power of Documentation ✍️

This recurring struggle highlighted a crucial point: the immense importance of documenting solutions that aren't covered at the project or framework level. These are the "hidden gems" of knowledge that can save you (and your colleagues) countless hours in the future.

For example, a simple note like this could have saved me a lot of hassle:

How to set up a Python virtual environment (venv) for this project:

# 1. Navigate to your project directory
cd your_project_name

# 2. Create the virtual environment
python3 -m venv venv

# 3. Activate the virtual environment
source venv/bin/activate

# 4. Install dependencies (assuming you have a requirements.txt)
pip install -r requirements.txt

# To deactivate:
deactivate

This experience solidified my belief that documenting these small, specific solutions is just as important as documenting the core project. It's a collaborative effort that benefits everyone!

That's it for this one! I hope my experience encourages you to document those tricky solutions. Until next time, keep coding and keep learning! 💻📚