how do I make pyinstaller use python 2.7 when I also have 3.5?

Question

It seems to automatically use the latest version, and I haven't been able to find the answer in the pyinstaller documentation.
It complains that my python2 code has incorrect syntax but it does not.

    Traceback (most recent call last):
      File "/usr/bin/pyinstaller", line 11, in <module>
        load_entry_point('PyInstaller==3.2', 'console_scripts', 'pyinstaller')()
      File "/usr/lib/python3.5/site-packages/PyInstaller/__main__.py", line 90, in run
    run_build(pyi_config, spec_file, **vars(args))
  File "/usr/lib/python3.5/site-packages/PyInstaller/__main__.py", line 46, in run_build
    PyInstaller.building.build_main.main(pyi_config, spec_file, **kwargs)
  File "/usr/lib/python3.5/site-packages/PyInstaller/building/build_main.py", line 788, in main
    build(specfile, kw.get('distpath'), kw.get('workpath'), kw.get('clean_build'))
  File "/usr/lib/python3.5/site-packages/PyInstaller/building/build_main.py", line 734, in build
    exec(text, spec_namespace)
  File "<string>", line 16, in <module>
  File "/usr/lib/python3.5/site-packages/PyInstaller/building/build_main.py", line 212, in __init__
    self.__postinit__()
  File "/usr/lib/python3.5/site-packages/PyInstaller/building/datastruct.py", line 178, in __postinit__
    self.assemble()
  File "/usr/lib/python3.5/site-packages/PyInstaller/building/build_main.py", line 413, in assemble
    priority_scripts.append(self.graph.run_script(script))
  File "/usr/lib/python3.5/site-packages/PyInstaller/depend/analysis.py", line 144, in run_script
    self._top_script_node = super(PyiModuleGraph, self).run_script(pathname)
  File "/usr/lib/python3.5/site-packages/PyInstaller/lib/modulegraph/modulegraph.py", line 888, in run_script
    co_ast = compile(contents, pathname, 'exec', ast.PyCF_ONLY_AST, True)
  File "/home/chuck/Pictures/testpics/photoresize.py", line 59
    print "incorrect options please choose from d(irectory),s(ize),e(xtension),r(ecursive) or use defaults"
                                                                                                          ^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax

Answer 1

Perhaps use virtualenv , or virtualenvwrapper With virtualenv it's possible to create separate environments with different versions of Python. virtualenvwrapper is wrapper for virtualenv some how easier to work with.

Answer 2

Since you're not willing to install a virtual environment as you commented, an easy workaround would be:

1. locate the path where python 2.x is installed ex: (not sure): /usr/local/lib/python2.7
2. open a console
3. type PATH=/usr/local/lib/python2.7:$PATH
4. type python --version just to check that it says V2 something not V3
5. run your pyinstaller executable with the python prefix

That doesn't affect system path (local to the console), so no need to revert back to previous path settings. Just close the console when you're done.

Also, don't use sudo as it's not needed and it changes/resets the path, which was your problem as you confirmed.