What is the difference between pip-compile and requirements.txt?

What is the difference between pip-compile and requirements.txt?

Pip-compile is a tool that generates a requirements.txt file from a requirements.in file, resolving dependencies. It ensures that all dependencies are pinned to specific versions, while requirements.txt can be manually edited.

Why should I use pip-compile instead of just editing requirements.txt?

Using pip-compile helps manage dependencies more effectively by automatically resolving and pinning versions, reducing conflicts.

Can I use pip-compile with existing requirements.txt files?

Yes, you can convert an existing requirements.txt into a requirements.in file and then use pip-compile to manage it going forward.

What happens if I don't pin my dependencies?

Not pinning dependencies can lead to version conflicts and unexpected behavior in your application, as updates to libraries may introduce breaking changes.