[SOLVED] how to start python3.6 interpreter just by typing python in terminal not python3.6

bmohanraj91 · 05-09-2017, 03:20 AM

Hi,

I installed python3.6 recently and now I have 2 different versions of python installed in my linux machine such as
python2.7, python3.6 under the directory /usr/bin.

In terminal if I type 'python', it starts python2.7.12 interpreter. Is there anyway to start python3.6 interpreter instead of 2.7.12 when I type python in terminal.

Linux OS detail:
DISTRIB_ID=Peppermint
DISTRIB_RELEASE=7
DISTRIB_CODENAME=xenial
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Peppermint 7 Seven"
NAME="Peppermint"
VERSION="Seven"
ID=peppermint
ID_LIKE=debian
PRETTY_NAME="Peppermint Seven"
VERSION_ID="7"

Thanks,
Mohan

pan64 · 05-09-2017, 03:43 AM

yes, that can be easily solved.
If you enter:

Code:

 % which python
/usr/bin/python
 % ls -l /usr/bin/python
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 dec   21  2013 /usr/bin/python -> python2.7
 %

you will see /usr/bin/python is actually a link, so theoretically you need only to modify it to point to python3.6.

BUT I do not suggest you to modify it at all. You must not change it, because (almost) all of your python scripts will die - if you force to run using python3 instead of python2.

bmohanraj91 · 05-09-2017, 04:25 AM

I dont have any python programs in my system, I am starting new, so please let me know to change the link..

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan64

yes, that can be easily solved.
If you enter:

Code:

 % which python
/usr/bin/python
 % ls -l /usr/bin/python
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 dec   21  2013 /usr/bin/python -> python2.7
 %

you will see /usr/bin/python is actually a link, so theoretically you need only to modify it to point to python3.6.

BUT I do not suggest you to modify it at all. You must not change it, because (almost) all of your python scripts will die - if you force to run using python3 instead of python2.

pan64 · 05-09-2017, 04:47 AM

you do have python scripts installed on your system, it is used by a lot of tools (for example rhythmbox).
From the other hand you can make an alias in your ~/.bashrc file:
alias python=/usr/bin/python3.6
and relogin.

Jjanel · 05-10-2017, 07:51 AM

Why not just: (a program name CAN have . - _ like: ln -s /usr/bin/ls My_Own-ls.1)

Code:

% python3.6

? ls -l /usr/bin/py*
Also try: py<tab><tab> (py followed immediately by two tabs: bash command completion)
Here's a page with a pile of info. Says: DoNOT change that link!

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