Guide of How to Check Python Version in Linux, Mac, & Windows – Python is a popular programming language. Like many other programming languages, there can be several different versions organized by release date. Certain applications may require a specific version of Python.
Prerequisites
Access to a command-line/terminal window:
Linux: Ctrl-Alt-T, Ctrl-Alt-F2
Windows: Win+R > type powershell > Enter/OK
MacOS: Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal
How to Check Python Version in Linux
Most modern Linux distributions come with Python pre-installed.
To check the version installed, open a terminal window and enter the following:
python --versionHow to Check Python Version in Windows
Most out-of-the-box Windows installations do not come with Python pre-installed. However, it is always a good idea to check.
Open Windows Powershell, and enter the following:
python --versionIf you have Python installed, it will report the version number.
Alternately, use the Windows Search function to see which version of Python you have:
Press the Windows key to start a search, then type Python. The system will return any results that match. Most likely a match will show something similar to:
Python 3.7 (32-bit)
How to Check Python Version in MacOS
If using a macOS, check the version by entering the following command in the terminal:
python -versionHow to Check Python Version in Script
When writing an application, before running the code you can check by simply using the following script to check the correct version.
import sys
if not sys.version_info.major == 3 and sys.version_info.minor >= 6:
print("Python 3.6 or higher is required.")
print("You are using Python {}.{}.".format(sys.version_info.major, sys.version_info.minor))
sys.exit(1)
Conclusion
You should now have a solid understanding of how to check for the version installed in several different operating systems. Python is a powerful programming language, thus it’s important to understand its different versions.
That’s all for this article if you have any confusion contact us through our website or email us at [email protected] or by using LinkedIn.
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