Syntax error while trying to install a library
Question:
I am trying to run the Python OpenCV library on my computer. I installed Python 3.11 from the website. However, all methods found on other forums result in syntax errors when I try to install the library.
I tried running pip install opencv-python at the IDLE prompt.
I expected it installed OpenCV and pip to be included with every Python downloads. However, when I ran that command, I got a syntax error.
This implies pip may not be working. I tried bootlegging it, and manually installing pip as per guides on Stack Overflow, but they do not work. I am not sure what I am doing wrong, but it feels like it should not be this difficult to install a library.
Answers:
From the image that you’ve shared, it seems that you’re trying to run pip from (IDLE) ie: inside the python interpreter. That is why it is giving an error. The python interpreter is used to run python code and that is why it is giving a syntax error because ‘pip’ is not a python command. ‘pip’ is a separate utility that is used to install python packages.
So I would recommend you to try again by running the same command
pip install opencv-python in a separate terminal window in mac or linux or cmd/powershell for windows.
Also if that doesn’t work, try upgrading your pip using pip install --upgrade pip
You should type pip install opencv-python in a terminal/shell window.
You are trying to run it inside IDLE, which accepts Python code, not Shell commands.
I am trying to run the Python OpenCV library on my computer. I installed Python 3.11 from the website. However, all methods found on other forums result in syntax errors when I try to install the library.
I tried running pip install opencv-python at the IDLE prompt.
I expected it installed OpenCV and pip to be included with every Python downloads. However, when I ran that command, I got a syntax error.
This implies pip may not be working. I tried bootlegging it, and manually installing pip as per guides on Stack Overflow, but they do not work. I am not sure what I am doing wrong, but it feels like it should not be this difficult to install a library.
From the image that you’ve shared, it seems that you’re trying to run pip from (IDLE) ie: inside the python interpreter. That is why it is giving an error. The python interpreter is used to run python code and that is why it is giving a syntax error because ‘pip’ is not a python command. ‘pip’ is a separate utility that is used to install python packages.
So I would recommend you to try again by running the same command
pip install opencv-python in a separate terminal window in mac or linux or cmd/powershell for windows.
Also if that doesn’t work, try upgrading your pip using pip install --upgrade pip
You should type pip install opencv-python in a terminal/shell window.
You are trying to run it inside IDLE, which accepts Python code, not Shell commands.