[FIXED] Create virtual environment identical to main Python installation (incl. CUDA dependencies)

Issue

I currently work on a server of my university, where I am using Python with Tensorflow and Cuda. I built some machine learning models on my local machine and copied them onto the server, where they run fine with the basic Python installation. However, I want to install a few additional packages and I also want to make sure that I do not have to be worried about updates of the software installed on the server that could cause problems with my code. I do not have and cannot get admin permissions to install any programs or modules outside my personal directory, since I am only a regular user and a student above that.

Now I wondered if there is an easy way to just clone the main Python installation to a virtual environment in my home folder. I could basically create a new virtual environment and install Tensorflow etc, but I found it very frustrating when I tried to set it up with Cuda on my private computer. Moreover, I find it rather complicated to access the server (log-in credentials, vpn, 2-factor-authorisation), so I want to minimize the trial-and-error time that I often need when I try custom installation of modules.

Solution

Approach 1: use "pip freeze > requirement.txt" to generate the requirements file and install all requirements using requirements file using "pip install -r requirement.txt" command.

Approach 2: use a virtualenv-clone package to make clone of the existing environment.
https://pypi.org/project/virtualenv-clone/

Answered By - Amrit Pangeni