What is the effect of using `python -m pip` instead of just `pip`?

Question

When I use python -m pip install <package>, how is that different from using just pip install <package>? Similarly, why would I write python -m pip install --upgrade pip to upgrade Pip, instead of just pip install --upgrade pip?

Answer 1

If you type python --help

You get

// More flags above
-m mod : run library module as a script (terminates option list)
// and more flags below

A great many things in a terminal will show you how to use it if you either use command --help or man command