I had two versions of Python installed on my machine (versions 2.6 and 2.5). I want to run 2.6 for one project and 2.5 for another.
How can I specify which I want to use?
I am working on Windows XP SP2.
Running a different copy of Python is as easy as starting the correct executable. You mention that you've started a python instance, from the command line, by simply typing python.
What this does under Windows, is to trawl the %PATH% environment variable, checking for an executable, either batch file (.bat), command file (.cmd) or some other executable to run (this is controlled by the PATHEXT environment variable), that matches the name given. When it finds the correct file to run the file is being run.
Now, if you've installed two python versions 2.5 and 2.6, the path will have both of their directories in it, something like PATH=c:\python\2.5;c:\python\2.6 but Windows will stop examining the path when it finds a match.
What you really need to do is to explicitly call one or both of the applications, such as c:\python\2.5\python.exe or c:\python\2.6\python.exe.
The other alternative is to create a shortcut to the respective python.exe calling one of them python25 and the other python26; you can then simply run python25 on your command line.
Adding two more solutions to the problem:
Use pylauncher (if you have Python 3.3 or newer there's no need to install it as it comes with Python already) and either add shebang lines to your scripts;
#! c:\[path to Python 2.5]\python.exe - for scripts you want to be run with Python 2.5
#! c:\[path to Python 2.6]\python.exe - for scripts you want to be run with Python 2.6
or instead of running python command run pylauncher command (py) specyfing which version of Python you want;
py -2.6 – version 2.6
py -2 – latest installed version 2.x
py -3.4 – version 3.4
py -3 – latest installed version 3.x
Install virtualenv and create two virtualenvs;
virtualenv -p c:\[path to Python 2.5]\python.exe [path where you want to have virtualenv using Python 2.5 created]\[name of virtualenv]
virtualenv -p c:\[path to Python 2.6]\python.exe [path where you want to have virtualenv using Python 2.6 created]\[name of virtualenv]
for example
virtualenv -p c:\python2.5\python.exe c:\venvs\2.5
virtualenv -p c:\python2.6\python.exe c:\venvs\2.6
then you can activate the first and work with Python 2.5 like this
c:\venvs\2.5\activate
and when you want to switch to Python 2.6 you do
deactivate
c:\venvs\2.6\activate
From Python 3.3 on, there is the official Python launcher for Windows (http://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0397/). Now, you can use the #!pythonX to determine the wanted version of the interpreter also on Windows. See more details in my another comment or read the PEP 397.
Summary: The py script.py launches the Python version stated in #! or Python 2 if #! is missing. The py -3 script.py launches the Python 3.
As per #alexander you can make a set of symbolic links like below. Put them somewhere which is included in your path so they can be easily invoked
> cd c:\bin
> mklink python25.exe c:\python25\python.exe
> mklink python26.exe c:\python26\python.exe
As long as c:\bin or where ever you placed them in is in your path you can now go
> python25
For example for 3.6 version type py -3.6.
If you have also 32bit and 64bit versions, you can just type py -3.6-64 or py -3.6-32.
install python
C:\Python27
C:\Python36
environment variable
PYTHON2_HOME: C:\Python27
PYTHON3_HOME: C:\Python36
Path: %PYTHON2_HOME%;%PYTHON2_HOME%\Scripts;%PYTHON3_HOME%;%PYTHON3_HOME%\Scripts;
file rename
C:\Python27\python.exe → C:\Python27\python2.exe
C:\Python36\python.exe → C:\Python36\python3.exe
pip
python2 -m pip install package
python3 -m pip install package
I strongly recommend the pyenv-win project.
Thanks to kirankotari's work, now we have a Windows version of pyenv.
One easy way for this is that you can use
py -3.8 -m pip install virtualenv here -3.8 goes with your [version number]
After installing the virtualenv, you can create the virtual environment of your application using
py -3.8 -m virtualenv [your env name]
then cd to venv, enter activate
This would activate the python version you like.
Just change the version number to use a different python version.
When you install Python, it will not overwrite other installs of other major versions. So installing Python 2.5.x will not overwrite Python 2.6.x, although installing 2.6.6 will overwrite 2.6.5.
So you can just install it. Then you call the Python version you want. For example:
C:\Python2.5\Python.exe
for Python 2.5 on windows and
C:\Python2.6\Python.exe
for Python 2.6 on windows, or
/usr/local/bin/python-2.5
or
/usr/local/bin/python-2.6
on Windows Unix (including Linux and OS X).
When you install on Unix (including Linux and OS X) you will get a generic python command installed, which will be the last one you installed. This is mostly not a problem as most scripts will explicitly call /usr/local/bin/python2.5 or something just to protect against that. But if you don't want to do that, and you probably don't you can install it like this:
./configure
make
sudo make altinstall
Note the "altinstall" that means it will install it, but it will not replace the python command.
On Windows you don't get a global python command as far as I know so that's not an issue.
Here's a quick hack:
Go to the directory of the version of python you want to run
Right click on python.exe
Select 'Create Shortcut'
Give that shortcut a name to call by( I use p27, p33 etc.)
Move that shortcut to your home directory(C:\Users\Your name)
Open a command prompt and enter name_of_your_shortcut.lnk(I use p27.lnk)
cp c:\python27\bin\python.exe as python2.7.exe
cp c:\python34\bin\python.exe as python3.4.exe
they are all in the system path, choose the version you want to run
C:\Users\username>python2.7
Python 2.7.8 (default, Jun 30 2014, 16:03:49) [MSC v.1500 32 bit (Intel)] on win
32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>
C:\Users\username>python3.4
Python 3.4.1 (v3.4.1:c0e311e010fc, May 18 2014, 10:38:22) [MSC v.1600 32 bit Intel)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>
The easiest way to run multiple versions of python on windows is described below as follows:-
1)Download the latest versions of python from python.org/downloads by selecting the relevant version for your system.
2)Run the installer and select Add python 3.x to the path to set path automatically in python 3 (you just have to click the checkbox). For python 2 open up your python 2 installer, select whatever preferences you want but just remember to set Add python.exe to path to Will be installed on local hard drive, Now just click next and wait for the installer to finish.
3)When both the installations are complete. Right click on my computer--Go to properties--Select advanced system settings--Go to environment variables--Click on new under System variables and add a new system variable with variable name as PY_PYTHON and set this variable value to 3. Now click on OK and you should be done.
4)Now to test this open the command prompt. Once you are in there type python or py, It should open up python3.
5)Now exit out of python3 by typing exit(). Now type py -2 it should open python 2.
If none of this works then restart the computer and if the problem still persists then uninstall everything and repeat the steps.
Thanks.
This is a simple and elegant solution to easily run 2 or more different versions of python without using scripts in Windows. Whatever the version of python, it will start from the Command prompt.
I have python versions 3.6.6 and 3.9. The Environment Variable paths are normal and were automatically added when each version of python was installed.
It's best to install python using the "all users" option. This way the python will simply install to:
C:\program files\python36
C:\program files\python39
Open each of these python folders and find the python.exe file. Copy and paste the python.exe file into those same folders. Then carefully rename the copies to:
python36.exe
python39.exe
Open and edit Environment Variables. Add 4 new User Variables.
C:\Program Files\Python36\Scripts
C:\Program Files\Python36\python36.exe
C:\Program Files\Python39\Scripts
C:\Program Files\Program39\python39.exe
Save and exit Environment Variables.
Open a new Command Prompt terminal window. To run one or the other version of python, type:
python36
python39
More versions of python can easily be added by repeating the same as shown above. Elegant and simple. Done.
Using a batch file to switch, easy and efficient on windows 7. I use this:
In the environment variable dialog (C:\Windows\System32\SystemPropertiesAdvanced.exe),
In the section user variables
added %pathpython% to the path environment variable
removed any references to python pathes
In the section system variables
removed any references to python pathes
I created batch files for every python installation (exmple for 3.4 x64
Name = SetPathPython34x64 !!! ToExecuteAsAdmin.bat ;-) just to remember.
Content of the file =
Set PathPython=C:\Python36AMD64\Scripts\;C:\Python36AMD64\;C:\Tcl\bin
setx PathPython %PathPython%
To switch between versions, I execute the batch file in admin mode.
!!!!! The changes are effective for the SUBSEQUENT command prompt windows OPENED. !!!
So I have exact control on it.
let's say if we have python 3.7 and python 3.6 installed.
they are respectively stored in following folder by default.
C:\Users\name\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python36
C:\Users\name\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python37
if we want to use cmd prompt to install/run command in any of the above specific environment do this:
There should be python.exe in each of the above folder.
so when we try running any file for ex. (see image1) python hello.py. we call that respective python.exe. by default it picks lower version of file. (means in this case it will use from python 3.6 )
image
so if we want to run using python3.7. just change the .exe file name. for ex. if I change to python37.exe and i want to use python3.7 to run hello.py
I will use python37 hello.py . or if i want to use python3.7 by default i will change the python.exe filename in python3.6 folder to something else . so that it will use python3.7 each time when I use only python hello.py
Shows your installed pythons
py -0
Uses version of python to do something
py -*version*
ex.
py -3.8 venv venv
Will create virtual environment in python 3.8
Note:
python -0
or
python -3.8
doesn't work, I assume it has to be "py"
You can create different python development environments graphically from Anaconda Navigator.
I had same problem while working with different python versions so I used anaconda navigator to create different python development environments and used different python versions in each environments.
Here is the help documentation for this.
https://docs.anaconda.com/anaconda/navigator/tutorials/manage-environments/
Introduce more details based on the answer given by #Aman.
Define different environment variables for different python versions.
For example:
You have E:\python2\python.exe and E:\python3\python.exe at the same time.
Then you can set an environment variable %python2% for E:\python2\python.exe and %python2% for E:\python3\python.exe.
Finally, when you want to run python2 (or python3), you can enter %python2% (or %python3%) directly in command prompt.
Here is a solution:
First, install all versions which you want to run in your pc. https://www.python.org/
Second, create virtual environment with which python version you want to use.
"py [python_version] -m venv [vritual_environment_name]" example: "py -3.9 -m venv env"
Note: You don't need to run "pip install virtualenv"
Using the Rapid Environment Editor you can push to the top the directory of the desired Python installation. For example, to start python from the c:\Python27 directory, ensure that c:\Python27 directory is before or on top of the c:\Python36 directory in the Path environment variable. From my experience, the first python executable found in the Path environment is being executed. For example, I have MSYS2 installed with Python27 and since I've added C:\MSYS2 to the path before C:\Python36, the python.exe from the C:\MSYS2.... folder is being executed.
I thought this answer might be helpful to others having multiple versions of python and wants to use pipenv to create virtual environment.
navigate to the project directory, and run py -[python version] pip install pipenv, example: py -3.6 pip install pipenv
run pipenv --python [version] to create the virtual environment in the version of the python you desire. example: pipenv --python 3.6
run pipenv shell to activate your virtual environment.
Just call the correct executable
Related
So I just installed the latest version of python, and I also changed the old 3.5 python version to 3.10 in my environment variables. There is no python 3.5 in the PATH inside environment variables, but when I run py --version in my CMD then it says version 3.5, but when I type python --version then it says version 3.10.2, is there a way to manually choose which version should be called on py or python?
You would need a python virtual environment to control it. (venv)
Just one thing, you can create a venv only with the version or python which is installed.
Also you can use conda to manage different version of python.
Here is a tutorial to create a venv or use conda on windows :
https://medium.com/co-learning-lounge/create-virtual-environment-python-windows-2021-d947c3a3ca78#a904
#The Mungax I am not sure but I can show you something that might help you
what is the Difference between “python” vs “py”
PYTHON
The command python refers to the Python executable of the default
Python installation. Technically, the path of this version is stored
inside the PATH environment variable where your OS will search for the
executable when processing any command.
PY
The command py refers to the Python launcher, a utility that’s
automatically installed into C:\Windows\ for any Python installation
on Windows. All files in the Windows folder are accessible without
needing to modify the PATH environment variable. Thus, the Python
launcher automatically delegates the work to the latest Python version
installed in your environment. However, you can also specify the used
installation by means of a flag argument such as in py -3.6 to specify
Python version 3.6.
I am trying to use Python3 with PyCharm.
So I installed Python(3.10.1) and PyCharm(2021.3.1)
But when I try to create a new project, PyCharm want me to choose 'base interpreter'
and I don't know which one to choose.
Here is the list of base interpreter:
I want to know what is difference between /usr/bin/python3 and Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.10/bin/python3
Usually the files under /usr/bin/ are symlinks to actual files, which means they are not real files but links to the actual file.
To see it for yourself go to the /usr/bin/ directory with a terminal and execute:
ls -a
I suppose macOS already ships with python and by installing Python 3.10 you added that last element to the list, which is also linked by /bin/usr/python3.
I'd go with /usr/bin/python3, more portable.
You can choose the one interpreter for the version of python you want. In your terminal, you can run python --version or python3 --version and it will display the version of python, Like this:
$ python --version
Python 2.7.16
$ python3 --version
Python 3.9.1
Performing which python, will give you the path to that python binary, like the following (although, this is where we are leaving "Python" and talking more about the OS and PATH.
$ which python3
/usr/local/bin/python3
For the other versions of Python you have installed, you can check their version by doing something like:
/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/3.10/bin/python3 --version
You'll find that you may choose different versions of python for different projects. In the future, you may consider using venv to setup virtual python environments per project.
If you're just getting started with Python, I'd suggest sticking with the version you installed 3.10.1, and choosing that interpreter.
The base interpreter is the python.exe file that will run everything you do inside that project.
I would suggest you use Anaconda as a package manager and then create a virtual environment with the version of Python you need. Just follow these steps:
Getting started with Anaconda: https://docs.anaconda.com/anaconda/user-guide/tasks/pycharm/
Choosing an Anaconda virtual environment with Pycharm:
https://docs.anaconda.com/anaconda/user-guide/tasks/pycharm/
A package manager like Anaconda is very useful when working with Python.
Otherwise:
In your list you have many different versions of python. You should choose the base interpreter based on the python version you want to use.
Always select the latest version.
Since I use Python 3.9, it will be:
/usr/local/bin/python3.9
Based on your image, it would be:
/usr/local/bin/python3
The interpreter is what version your PyCharm project uses. It appears you have python2 and python3, so if you were writing in python2, you would use the python2 interpreter.
I would select the latest version, which in your case would be:
/usr/local/bin/python3
I am using Python 3.5.2 version on Windows 7 and tried using python3 app.py. I am getting this error message:
'python3' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.
Is there any specific cause about why the python3 command is not working?
I also verified that the PATH is added to environment variables.
There is no python3.exe file, that is why it fails.
Try:
py
instead.
py is just a launcher for python.exe. If you have more than one python versions installed on your machine (2.x, 3.x) you can specify what version of python to launch by
py -2 or
py -3
You can also try this:
Go to the path where Python is installed in your system. For me it was something like C:\Users\\Local Settings\Application Data\Programs\Python\Python37
In this folder, you'll find a python executable. Just create a duplicate and rename it to python3. Works every time.
Python3.exe is not defined in windows
Specify the path for required version of python when you need to used it by creating virtual environment for your project
Python 3
virtualenv --python=C:\PATH_TO_PYTHON\python.exe environment
Python2
virtualenv --python=C:\PATH_TO_PYTHON\python.exe environment
then activate the environment using
.\environment\Scripts\activate.ps1
Yes, I think for Windows users you need to change all the python3 calls to python to solve your original error. This change will run the Python version set in your current environment. If you need to keep this call as it is (aka python3) because you are working in cross-platform or for any other reason, then a work around is to create a soft link. To create it, go to the folder that contains the Python executable and create the link. For example, this worked in my case in Windows 10 using mklink:
cd C:\Python3
mklink python3.exe python.exe
Use a (soft) symbolic link in Linux:
cd /usr/bin/python3
ln -s python.exe python3.exe
In my case I have a git hook on commit, specified by admin. So it was not very convenient for me to change the script (with python3 calls).
And the simplest workaround was just to copy python.exe to python3.exe.
Now I could launch both python and python3.
If python2 is not installed on your computer, you can try with just python instead of python3
For Python 27
virtualenv -p C:\Python27\python.exe django_concurrent_env
For Pyton36
virtualenv -p C:\Python36\python.exe django_concurrent_env
Enter the command to start up the server in that directory:
py -3.7 -m http.server
I had a related issue after installing windows 11, where python3 in cmd would open the windows store. I was able to sort it out between this post and this other one. In short, I reinstalled python and made sure to add it to PATH. Then, in settings, Apps > Apps & Features > App Execution aliases. Here, all I had to do was make sure that every single python .exe (including idle and pip) were turned off EXCEPT FOR the python3.exe alias. Now it works like a charm.
FWIW:
The root of this issue is not with you or with python. Apparently, Microsoft wanted to make installing python easier for young kiddos getting interested in coding, so they automatically add an executable to PATH. For those of us that already have this executable, it can cause these issues.
Found out instead press the play button the top right and it should work in visual studios:
Do not disable according to first answer
Saying python3 in the command will not work by default.
After figuring out the problem with the modules (Solution): https://youtu.be/paRXeLurjE4
Summary:
To import python modules in case of problem to import modules:
Hover over python in search:
Click open in folder
Hover over and right click
click properties
copy everything in path before \python.exe
close those windows
For cmd (administrator):
cd --path that was copied--
then python -m pip install --upgrade pip
cd Scripts
pip install "Name of Package" such as pip install --module (package) --
Im on win10 and have 3.7, 3.8 and 3.10 installed.
For me "python" launches version 3.10 and does not accept commands (like -3.7), "py" launches newest version but does accept commands, and "python3" does nothing.
Uninstalled 3.10 and "python" now does nothing, and "py" launches 3.8.
I am unable to add a comment, but the mlink option presented in this answer above https://stackoverflow.com/a/55229666/8441472 by #Stanislav preserves cross-platform shebangs at the top of scripts (#!/usr/bin/env python3) and launches the right python.
(Even if you install python from python.org, Windows will direct you to the app marketplace nowadays if you type python3 on the command line. If you type python on the same cli it will launch the python.org version repl. It leads to scripts that generate no output, but more likely silently failed completely. I don't know ho common this is but have experienced it on a couple of different devices)
If you have this at the top of your script to ensure you launch python3 and don't feel like editing everything you own, it is not a bad approach at all... lol.
There is a default python version, namely python 2.6, on the GPU server with Linux OS. Now I want to install a new python version on the server from its source, namely python 2.7. I should not change the default python version since I am not the administrator and some reason. So what should I do?
You can install your new version of Python. It should be accessible with the python27 command (which may be a symbolic link).
Then you will just have to check that the python symbolic link still points to python26.
Doing this, python will keep on execute Python 2.6 while python27 will execute Python 2.7
You can use virtualenv, to execute your programm in an environment with python 2.7.
Install virtualenv and virtualenvwrapper (for comfotable use.)
mkvirtualenv -p <your-python-version> would then start a virtual environment where the desired python version is the default.
To build on Tryph's answer, you can install that new version to your home directory, then in a directory specified within your PATH (like in .bash_profile), you can point to that directory and within there create a sym-link that points to the new python.
For instance, if you have a bin folder in your home directory that is specified in the path
ln -s /bin/python ~/bin/python
I am reading How To Learn Python The Hard Way, which uses 2. Recently discovered Invent With Python, which uses 3.
Can I download python 3, and use it when I read Invent With Python, then switch back to python 2 when I want to read How To Learn Python The Hard Way. If so, how would I choose which version I use?
Using 'virtualenv' you can have different isolated Python environments on a single machine. Also you can switch any-time between the different python interpreter versions.
What is virtualenv?
A Virtual Environment is an isolated working copy of Python which allows you to work on a specific project without worry of affecting other projects. It enables multiple side-by-side installations of Python, one for each project. It doesn’t actually install separate copies of Python, but it does provide a clever way to keep different project environments isolated.
How to install?
pip install virtualenv
To create virtual environment for python 2.7 :
root:~# which python2.7
/usr/bin/python2.7
root:~# which python3.4
/usr/local/bin/python3.4
You can also use a Python interpreter of your choice:
root:~# virtualenv -p /usr/bin/python2.7 Vpy27
Running virtualenv with interpreter /usr/bin/python2.7
New python executable in /root/Vpy27/bin/python2.7
Also creating executable in /root/Vpy27/bin/python
Installing setuptools, pip, wheel...done.
To begin using the virtual environment, it needs to be activated:
root:~# source Vpy27/bin/activate
The name of the current virtual environment will now appear on the left of the prompt:
(Vpy27) root:~# python -V
Python 2.7.3
Install packages as usual, for example:
(Vpy27) root:~# pip install junos-eznc >> All pip installs done here, will be available only in this environment.
If you are done working in the virtual environment for the moment, you can deactivate it:
(Vpy27) root:~# deactivate
To create virtual environment for python 3.4:
root:~# which python3.4
/usr/local/bin/python3.4
root:~# virtualenv -p /usr/local/bin/python3.4 Vpy34
root:~# source Vpy34/bin/activate
(Vpy34) root:~# python -V
Python 3.4.4
There is also a way to create virtual environment with already available site-packages.
depends on your system/platform...
I'm currently on Ubuntu 10.10 and have both 2.6 and 3.1 installed. The default system python is 2.6, and python3 is installed as an additional package.
corey#studio17:~$ python
Python 2.6.6 (r266:84292, Sep 15 2010, 16:22:56)
[GCC 4.4.5] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>
corey#studio17:~$ python3
Python 3.1.2 (release31-maint, Sep 17 2010, 20:27:33)
[GCC 4.4.5] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>
similarly, on Windows, I have 2.6 and 3.1 installed (in C:\Python26 and C:\Python31)
easy to switch back and forth.
also.. there are some syntactic differences between 2.x and 3.x that you will need to be aware of (print is a function, etc).
In windows 10 it is a lot easier then what have been given by users above.
Install both the version in separate folders, and then go to environment variable and add the path for both the versions.
Now any time you want to run particular version, just change its order (path) and move it to top of other version, and then restart the cmd and type python this time, you will see that only that particular version of python will run.
For example in my case, I have two version of python one in anaconda(v3.0.6) and another is python 2.7
anytime I want to run the 2.7 i move its path above the anaconda version, as you can see in the screenshot above, and move it below when i want to run anaconda version.
I'm on Windows 10 with Python 3.5 and 2.7. Using PowerShell, here's how I'm switching between versions.
############################################################
# Switch to Python 2.7
############################################################
# Remove python 3.5 from PATH
$current_path = [Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable("Path", "User")
$python3_path = "C:\Users\REPLACEUSER\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python35-32\Scripts\;C:\Users\REPLACEUSER\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python35-32\;"
$new_path = $current_path.replace($python3_path, "")
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("Path", $new_path, "User")
# Add python 2.7 to PATH
# Run PowerShell as administrator
$current_path = [Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable("Path", "Machine")
$python2_path = "C:\Python27\;C:\Python27\Scripts;"
$new_path = $python2_path + $current_path
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("Path", $new_path, "Machine")
# Restart PowerShell to see change
# Confirm change
python --version
############################################################
# Switch to Python 3.5
############################################################
# Remove python 2.7 from PATH
# Run PowerShell as administrator
$current_path = [Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable("Path", "Machine")
$python2_path = "C:\Python27\;C:\Python27\Scripts;"
$new_path = $current_path.replace($python2_path, "")
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("Path", $new_path, "Machine")
# Add python 3.5 to PATH
$current_path = [Environment]::GetEnvironmentVariable("Path", "User")
$python3_path = "C:\Users\REPLACEUSER\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python35-32\Scripts\;C:\Users\REPLACEUSER\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python35-32\;"
$new_path = $python3_path + $current_path
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("Path", $new_path, "User")
# Restart PowerShell to see change
# Confirm change
python --version
Note that you will need to update paths to reflect your Python versions and user profile.
A couple ways on *nix systems:
Install into separate directories (e.g. /usr/local/python2 and /usr/local/python3) and create a link (e.g. /usr/bin/python) which you change to point to whichever executable you want to use.
Same install as above, but set up separate python commands (e.g. /usr/bin/python2 and /usr/bin/python3) and call those when you want to invoke python. Or have the python command default to one of those and a pythonN for the other (N = 2 or 3, whichever isn't the default).
Yes you can. On my machine at least(Vista), v2 and v3 have completely separate idles allowing me to run whichever version I feel like when I feel like it. So go ahead and download v3.
if you are using windows 10 and have python 2.x and 3.x.
open control panel > system and security > system
click advanced system settings.
click environment variables.
click path and edit and then make the path of python version you want to use above that you don't want to use [by click the moveu Up button]
restart powershell.
python --version
Here are my 2 cents.
If you are on a unix based system (Ubuntu, etc..), and you currently have python 2.x. Go ahead and download the python 3.x from Python.org
After installation it will create a separate directory python3
You are done.
To run your programs with python2.x use python filename.py
To run your programs with python3.x, use python3 filename.py
Similarly, to fire up the python2.x and python 3.x interpreter use python and python3 respectively.
I see some of the answers pointing you to virtualenv, I don't think that is what you were asking for, virtualenv is used for isolating Python environments.
If you are using anaconda:
Create a Python 2 environment named py2, install Python 2.7:
conda create --name py2 python=2.7
Activate and use the Python 2 environment:
WINDOWS:
activate py2
LINUX, macOS:
source activate py2
Deactivate the Python 2 environment:
WINDOWS:
deactivate
macOS, LINUX:
source deactivate
Similarly for py3
Create a Python 3 environment named py3, install Python 3.5:
conda create --name py3 python=3.5
and so on..
On Windows, the Python launcher can do this for you.
The PEP article says:
Shebang line parsing
If the first command-line argument does not start with a dash ('-')
character, an attempt will be made to open that argument as a file
and parsed for a shebang line according to the rules in [1]::
#! interpreter [optional-arg]
So simply add a shebang at the beginning of your Python script, like this:
#! python3
#coding=utf-8
import sys
print(sys.version)
...
Or you can pass a command-line parameter to the py.exe launcher:
C:\Users\Administrator>py -3 my_script.py
C:\Users\Administrator>py -2 my_script.py
I've tried 6 solutions so far, like:
virtualenv --python=python py27env
mkvirtualenv --python=python3 py3env etc..
also using virtualenvwrapper package
etc.
None of them worked.
I have Python 3.6 and Python2.7 on my Windows 10 machine, so I renamed C:\Python27\python.exe to python2.exe and
C:\Python36\python.exe to python3.exe or you can even use python36.exe format.
Of course C:\Python27, C:\Python27\Scripts, C:\Python36, C:\Python36\Scripts added to Environment Variables PATH.
(1) For python3 just type:
python3 -m virtualenv venv3
(2) Go to venv folder, activate it with:
Scripts\activate.bat
(3) (venv3) shows it's activated:
(venv3) HOME1#PC C:\Builts\venv3
(4) and then check if it is really 3.6:
python --version
Python 3.6.0
For python2:
python2 -m virtualenv venv2
Result:
(venv2) HOME1#PC C:\Builts\venv2
python --version
Python 2.7.9
I hope it will help.
I just think that there is no need to set up the environment to switch from python2 to python3. Instead when compiling the python script file in the command line, instead of typing python you type python3 then python3 will be used.
# python3 myscript.py
To be possible install virtualenv for python2 without admin access. Rename python.exe to python27.exe at python2 folder;
Include python27 and python27\Scripts at Path environment variable for your account.
call prompt cmd
python27 <path to Scripts\pip.exe of python2.7> install virtualenv