Table of content
- Introduction
- Understanding Python Versioning
- Checking Current Python Version in Linux
- Updating Python in Linux
- Updating Python Packages and Modules
- Practical Code Examples
- Conclusion
Introduction
Python is a popular high-level programming language used by software engineers, data analysts, and developers worldwide. As a Python user, it's essential to always have the latest version installed to take advantage of the latest features and improvements. In this article, we'll explore easy steps to upgrade Python in Linux with practical code examples.
If you're new to Python or upgrading your existing version, it's crucial to understand the importance of keeping your installation up to date. The latest version of Python comes with new functionalities, bug fixes, and security patches that can improve your programming experience.
Before we dive into the steps to upgrade Python, it's important to understand the different versions available. Currently, Python has two primary versions: Python 2 and Python 3. Python 3 is the latest and is backward incompatible with Python 2. Therefore, it's essential to know which version you are currently using and which version you want to upgrade to. With that said, let's move on to the next steps.
Understanding Python Versioning
Python versioning is an essential aspect of understanding Python for effective usage. Python has multiple versions that are being released every once in a while. Each version has its unique features and bug fixes, which makes it necessary to keep up with the latest version. The latest version provides security updates, bug fixes, and additional features that will facilitate better program writing.
Python versioning follows the three-part convention: Major.Minor.Micro. The major part shows the version number whose breaking changes may affect the app's support interface. The minor version's two levels of the bug fix release may add new features and new libraries without backward compatibility issues. Lastly, the micro version handles security updates, error and bug fixes with no feature changes.
Furthermore, Python has two active versions, the Python 2 and Python 3 series. Although Python 2 is still in use, Python 3 is more frequently updated and has become the predominant version. Python 3's discontinuing or deprecation of Python 2 features in favor of the new and improved version has made a substantial contribution to its popularity.
To check the current version of Python installed on your Linux system, type "python –version" or "python3 –version." It will display the version number followed by the versioning conventions discussed above. is crucial when upgrading to a new version or updating python libraries, which will require the correct version numbers to maintain functionality.
Checking Current Python Version in Linux
Before upgrading Python in Linux, you first need to check which version is currently installed on your system. To do this, open the terminal and type the following command:
python --version
This will display the current version of Python installed on your system. If your system has multiple versions of Python installed, you may also see the version number followed by the path to the Python installation.
You can also check the version of Python using the command below:
python3 --version
This command is used to specify which version of Python to use. In some systems, Python 2.x and Python 3.x may be installed side-by-side, so it's important to check which version you're currently using.
Once you've determined the current version of Python on your system, you can proceed with upgrading Python.
