Is there a way to set the Python 3.5.2 as the default Python version on CentOS 7? currently, I have Python 2.7 installed as default and Python 3.5.2 installed separately.
I used the following commands
mv /usr/bin/python /usr/bin/python-old
sudo ln -fs /usr/bin/python3 /usr/bin/python
but after that yum
gives the error.
-bash: /usr/bin/yum: /usr/bin/python: bad interpreter: No such file or directory
is there something I'm missing here?
NOTE: its the similar but opposite question of Linux CentOS 7, how to set Python2.7 as default Python version?
If this
sudo ln -fs /usr/bin/python3.5 /usr/bin/python
doesn't work (it should)
you could just add an alias into your /home/.bashrc
with this command:
alias python="/usr/bin/python3.5"
and if this does not work either you should just use virtual env. Read this page to get started.
I would suggest using alternatives instead.
As super-user ( root ) run the following:
# Start by registering python2 as an alternative
alternatives --install /usr/bin/python python /usr/bin/python2 50
# Register python3.5 as an alternative
alternatives --install /usr/bin/python python /usr/bin/python3.5 60
# Select which Python version to use
alternatives --config python
The last command will ask you to choose between registered/installed alternatives .
As always, well most of the time anyways, you can check out the manual ( linux man pages ) using this simple command
man alternatives
Note:
Altho this answer refers to/make use of specific Python versions, the alternatives command, it's concepts and uses remain the same regardless of version numbers. It is strongly suggested that you read/learn more about the alternatives command in order to understand how it can help you better manage and use your system. Also, there is a good chance that some will correct bad/unusual practices currently in use on their machines. I see it with a great majority of people which i introduce to the concept. Here is a link to a very good and simple explanation of the alternatives command .
As the question goes, Linux CentOS 7, how to set Python3.5.2 as default Python version?
Will like to complement @OldFart's answer( Unforunately, can't comment else I would have).
when using the install param with update-alternatives, you can set the priority in auto mode. Implicitly saying that the alternative with the highest priority will be the default alternative should no alternative have been set manually. using the above answer as an example,
update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/python python /usr/bin/python2 50
will set the python2 alternative with a priority of 50, and
update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/python python /usr/bin/python3.5 60
will set the python3.5 alternative with a priority of 60. and by default, the python 3.5 becomes the default python executable for the python command.
should you want to change your default python alternative,
update-alternatives --config python
Find this a better approach as i don't have to modify my path files.
Option 1) Creating a soft link actually has a drawback. "yum" does not support Python3. so, if you still decide to go with symlink creation then you also need to update the /usr/bin/yum
ln -s /usr/bin/python3 /usr/bin/python
And update the shebang line with #!/usr/bin/python2 in /usr/bin/yum file
Option 2) use alternatives
alternatives --install /usr/bin/python python /usr/bin/python3.x 60
alternatives --config python
Option 3) create an alias in bash_profile
alias python="/usr/bin/python3"
I want to provide some additional context around why yum was broken in the OP, and why I think the alternatives
method is the best approach. Perhaps there are other best practices, but I've made some discoveries and would like to share my findings.
Assuming 3.5.2 was:
The command to link 'separately installed 3.5.2' at the location /usr/bin/python3 to system python at /usr/bin/python overwrote or otherwise modified system python, breaking yum.
This approach complements @OldFart 's answer and hopefully provides some additional perspective around root cause of why a separately installed python can cause issues.
update-alternatives
was a breath of fresh air for a similar problem I ran into
This is what i am getting after setting the alternatives config option for python
[root@localhost ~]# update-alternatives --config python
There are 2 programs which provide 'python'.
Selection Command
-----------------------------------------------
1 /usr/bin/python2.7
*+ 2 /usr/bin/python3.7
Enter to keep the current selection[+], or type selection number: 2
[root@localhost ~]#
[root@localhost ~]# python
-bash: /usr/bin/python: No such file or directory
Using alternatives
to set default to python3.6 still breaks yum. To fix change the python interpreter to /usr/bin/python2.7
in two files.
[root@centos7 ~]# cat /usr/bin/yum
#!/usr/bin/python2.7
[root@centos7 ~]# cat /usr/libexec/urlgrabber-ext-down
#!/usr/bin/python2.7
I found the following article to be useful: https://rakeshjain-devops.medium.com/how-to-install-python-3-on-centos-7-7-using-yum-and-source-and-set-as-default-1dee13396f7
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