+#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# In some cases, it is useful to see all the output generated by commands so
+# this function makes it possible for users to achieve that by not redirecting
+# output to /dev/null when verbosity is enabled
+#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+redirect_cmd() {
+
+ if [[ "$VERBOSITY" == "false" ]]; then
+ "$@" > /dev/null 2>&1
+ else
+ "$@"
+ fi
+
+}
+
+VERBOSITY=${VERBOSITY:-false}
+# ensure dependencies are present
+echo "Info : Install python3.7-minimal python3-distutils virtualenv using apt"
+redirect_cmd sudo apt update
+redirect_cmd sudo apt install -o Dpkg::Options::=--force-confdef -o Dpkg::Options::=--force-confnew -y python3.7-minimal python3-distutils virtualenv
+