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Hardik Sondagar
Hardik Sondagar

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How to use multiple versions of Python

#python #pyenv #ubuntu

My system has 2.7.6 as a default python version and most of my applications runs on it, but one project that I'm working with AWS IoT requires version 2.7.9.

I will show how to run multiple versions of python using pyenv.

Prerequisite 

$ sudo apt-get update $ sudo apt-get install -y make build-essential libssl-dev zlib1g-dev libbz2-dev \ libreadline-dev libsqlite3-dev wget curl llvm libncurses5-dev libncursesw5-dev \ xz-utils tk-dev libffi-dev liblzma-dev
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Install pyenv

Install pyenv with one-liner provided by the automatic installer.

$ curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/yyuu/pyenv-installer/master/bin/pyenv-installer | bash
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Add following lines at the end of .bashrc file and restart the terminal.

export PATH="/root/.pyenv/bin:$PATH" eval "$(pyenv init -)" eval "$(pyenv virtualenv-init -)"
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Note : For zsh use .zshrc file.

Usage

Install python version 2.7.9.

$ pyenv install 2.7.9
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List all installed python versions.

$ pyenv versions * system (set by /home/ubuntu/.pyenv/version) 2.7.9
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Use 2.7.9 version for your project.

$ mkdir aws-iot-mqtt $ cd aws-iot-mqtt $ pyenv local 2.7.9
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Now, verify which python version is enabled for current directory.

// Inside `aws-iot-mqtt` directory $ python -V Python 2.7.9 // Check version in parent directory $ cd .. $ python -V Python 2.7.6
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Note: Tested on Ubuntu 16.04 server edition

Top comments (7)

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rhymes profile image
rhymes • • Edited

It's probably safer to use Windows Subsystem for Linux for that although it's not a real solution

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hardiksondagar profile image
Hardik Sondagar •

Windows + Linux Bash = Perfect Combination

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sadpixel profile image
Ishan •

pipenv is a cross-platform solution to the same thing. You should check it out

 
rhymes profile image
rhymes • • Edited

Because Windows is not supported by pyenv but you can use it inside the sub system being a Linux compatible environment