Do not throw error in pip cache purge when there are no cache packages to remove

[dclong]

What's the problem this feature will solve?

pip cache purge throws error when no cache packages are not found. This causes issues in automation scripts. For example, when building a Docker image, it is appealing to call pip cache purge to clean pip caches to reduce Docker image size. However, this command might fail depending whether pip cache packages are found.

Describe the solution you'd like

Do not throw errors when no cache packages are found. In the highlighted part of the screenshot below, just return (instead of throwing an exception).

Alternative Solutions

An alternative (and more complicated) way is to add an option to disable error throwing so that users can control the behavior of pip cache purge when no caching packages are found.

Additional context

NA

Code of Conduct

• I agree to follow the PSF Code of Conduct.

[pradyunsg]

Sounds reasonable to me!

[uranusjr]

For example, when building a Docker image, it is appealing to call pip cache purge to clean pip caches to reduce Docker image size.

For this use case specifically I think || true is pretty common? (Not saying your proposal is not a good idea.)