Working with Python on Debian via WSL: A Detailed Guide

Table of Contents

• Installing WSL for Debian
• Accessing Windows Files in WSL
• Python Installation Options
• Setting PYTHONPATH
• Handling Matplotlib Installation Warning

Installing WSL for Debian

If the Microsoft Store is not an option, you can manually download a Debian .appxbundle file from a trusted source. After clicking on the file, it will install and ask for a UNIX username and password.

Accessing Windows Files in WSL

You can navigate to your Windows files within WSL by going to the /mnt/ directory. For example, to access the C drive:

cd /mnt/c/

Python Installation Options on WSL

For Python installation, you have two primary routes:

• Basic Python: Use apt to install Python and pip.

  sudo apt update
  sudo apt install python3 python3-pip

• Miniconda: Download the installer script and follow the installation prompts.

  bash Miniconda3-latest-Linux-x86_64.sh

Setting PYTHONPATH

If you have Python modules in a custom directory, you can add that directory to your PYTHONPATH using the following commands:

• Temporarily (current session only):

  export PYTHONPATH=$PYTHONPATH:/path/to/custom/directory

• Permanently: Add the export command to your .bashrc file.

  echo 'export PYTHONPATH=$PYTHONPATH:/path/to/custom/directory' >> ~/.bashrc
  source ~/.bashrc

Handling Matplotlib Installation Warning

Upon installing Matplotlib, you may encounter a warning indicating that certain scripts are not in your PATH. To add them:

• Temporarily:

  export PATH=$PATH:/path/to/script/directory

• Permanently: Add the path to your .bashrc.

  echo 'export PATH=$PATH:/path/to/script/directory' >> ~/.bashrc
  source ~/.bashrc