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Python Dates and Times in Python (2014) Where on Earth do Timezones Make Sense? Actually, Use pytz Instead

Maya Angelica Gurgiolo
Maya Angelica Gurgiolo
4,268 Points

Installing pytz

I can't figure out how to install pytz. In the video it says to use 'pip install pytz', but where am I supposed to type this? I've tried the Python shell, the Python command line, and Powershell. I have Python 3.4.

Chris Freeman
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,427 Points

pip install should be run at in a bash or powershell window. A virtualenv may used within the shell to localize the install to that end. What error are you seeing when trying in powershell?

3 Answers

First, make sure both the Python34 directory and its subdirectory Scripts are in the PATH environment variable (there's an option to add this when installing Python).

Second, try python -m pip install pytz from Powershell or a regular command prompt.

Using Python on Windows

Maya Angelica Gurgiolo
Maya Angelica Gurgiolo
4,268 Points

Thank you so much for your answer! I had Python in PATH but not the Script subdirectory. After changing that I was successfully able to use the 'python -m pip install pytz' command in Powershell.

Great! Glad it was something simple! :)

I'm using a Mac with Python 2.7. To install pytz, I opened the program called "Terminal", and then on the first line typed pip install pytz. If you're using a Mac, I hope this helps.

Michael Steinman
Michael Steinman
11,012 Points

I'm having trouble installing this module as well. Unfortunately, I don't understand the answer given. Can someone give step by step instructions on how to do this? I'm using Python 3.5 on Windows. All I know how to do is use the shell (IDLE) and write scripts by clicking File New File from the shell.

So there's a sneaky way to install modules from IDLE. Run these commands (one line at a time in IDLE):

from subprocess import call
call("pip install pytz", shell=True)

Then you can carry on with importing the module:

import pytz

Note that you need to import the module each time you use it, but only have to install it once.

Found this from this page on Google Groups: https://groups.google.com/forum/embed/#!topic/python-virtualenv/VsulL00j--8