> For something like C or C++? Usually the most complicated part is running `make` or `cmake` with `pkgconfig` somewhere in my path. Maybe install some missing system libraries if necessary.

If you don't use virtual environments in python, isn't it basically the same in python? Just run `pip install` and maybe install some missing system libraries if necessary. In practice, it's not that simple in either language, and "maybe install some missing dependencies" sweeps a lot of pain under the rug.