["python","docker","pip"]
What is pip's `--no-cache-dir` good for?

I've recently seen the --no-cache-dir being used in a Docker file. I've never seen that flag before and the help is not explaining it: --no-cache-dir Disable the cache. Question: What is cached? Question: What is the cache used for? Question: Why would I want to disable it?
Cached is: store away in hiding or for future use Used for store the installation files(.whl, etc) of the modules that you install through pip store the source files (.tar.gz, etc) to avoid re-download when not expired Possible Reason you might want to disable cache: you don't have space on your hard drive previously run pip install with unexpected settings eg: previously run export PYCURL_SSL_LIBRARY=nss and pip install pycurl want new run export PYCURL_SSL_LIBRARY=openssl and pip install pycurl --compile --no-cache-dir you want to keep a Docker image as small as possible Links to documentation https://pip.pypa.io/en/stable/topics/caching