python - Does Conda replace the need for virtualenv?

Question

I recently discovered Conda after I was having trouble installing SciPy, specifically on a Heroku app that I am developing.

With Conda you create environments, very similar to what virtualenv does. My questions are:

1. If I use Conda will it replace the need for virtualenv? If not, how do I use the two together? Do I install virtualenv in Conda, or Conda in virtualenv?
2. Do I still need to use pip? If so, will I still be able to install packages with pip in an isolated environment?

Answer 1

1. Conda replaces virtualenv. In my opinion it is better. It is not limited to Python but can be used for other languages too. In my experience it provides a much smoother experience, especially for scientific packages. The first time I got MayaVi properly installed on Mac was with conda.

2. You can still use pip. In fact, conda installs pip in each new environment. It knows about pip-installed packages.

For example:

conda list

lists all installed packages in your current environment. Conda-installed packages show up like this:

sphinx_rtd_theme          0.1.7                    py35_0    defaults

and the ones installed via pip have the <pip> marker:

wxpython-common           3.0.0.0                   <pip>