Python

Setting up a flexible Python development environment is crucial, especially when working with projects that may require different Python versions. Instead of manually installing different Python versions, we recommend using pyenv, which allows for easy installation and management of multiple Python versions.

macOS Setup

1. Install Homebrew (if you haven’t already…Just go here) for instructions

2. Install pyenv using Homebrew

   Once Homebrew is installed, you can install pyenv:

   brew install pyenv

3. Configure pyenv

   Add the following to your shell profile (~/.bash_profile, ~/.zshrc, etc.):

   if command -v pyenv 1>/dev/null 2>&1; then
   eval "$(pyenv init --path)"
   fi

   Then, restart your terminal or run source ~/.bash_profile (or your respective shell profile file).

4. Install Python using pyenv

   With pyenv configured, you can install any Python version. For example, to install Python 3.9.1:

   pyenv install 3.9.1

Windows Setup

Note

For Windows, there isn’t a direct equivalent to pyenv. Instead, we recommend using the official Python installer for Windows, or using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) to set up a Linux-like environment on your Windows machine and then following the macOS instructions for pyenv.

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Common pyenv Commands

Listing Installed Python Versions

To see a list of Python versions you have installed:

pyenv versions

Switching Between Python Versions

If you’ve installed multiple Python versions, you can easily switch between them:

pyenv global [version]

Replace [version] with the desired version number, e.g., pyenv global 3.9.1.

Setting a Local Python Version

To set a Python version for a specific project directory:

pyenv local [version]