Python is a versatile, high-level programming language that is widely used in a variety of fields such as web development, data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more. The Python Software Foundation regularly updates Python, adding improvements, new features, and bug fixes that are essential for effective programming. If you’re a Mac user, it’s crucial to keep your Python environment up-to-date to leverage these enhancements. This blog post will guide you through the process of updating Python on your Mac.
Pre-Installation Checks
Before proceeding with the installation of new Python version, you can check the current Python version installed on your Mac by opening the terminal and typing:
python –version
or
python3 –version
Installing New Python Version
To install a new version of Python, we recommend using Homebrew. Homebrew is a free and open-source software package management system that simplifies the installation of software on MacOS.
If you haven’t installed Homebrew yet, open the terminal and enter the following command:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
After the successful installation of Homebrew, insert the following command to install the latest version of Python:
brew install python
Switching Between Python Versions
If you have multiple versions of Python installed on your Mac, you can switch between the versions using an alias. For instance, if you want to use Python 3.7 instead of the current version, use the following command:
alias python=/usr/local/bin/python3.7
To make the change permanent, add the alias command to your .bash_profile or .zshrc file depending on the shell you’re using.
Conclusion
Keeping your Python environment updated is essential to ensure that you’re able to make use of the latest features, improvements, and patches. With the help of Homebrew, you can easily manage Python versions on your Mac. Remember to check your Python version regularly and keep it up-to-date!
