How Do I Set the Default Python Version on Linux?

Default Python Version on Linux

You have two Python versions installed on your Linux system: Python 2.6 and Python 2.7. It is generally not recommended to modify your default system Python version, as this may break certain programs or scripts that rely on that specific version.

Creating a Shell Alias

If you wish to use Python 2.7 specifically when you type "python," you can create a shell alias. Add the following line to your ~/.bashrc file:

alias python=/usr/local/bin/python2.7

This will create a shortcut that points "python" commands to the desired Python 2.7 interpreter.

Using Virtual Environments

Another solution is to use virtual environments. This allows you to create isolated environments for different projects, each with its own Python interpreter. To create a virtual environment for Python 2.7:

virtualenv -p /usr/local/bin/python2.7 my_env

Activate the virtual environment:

source my_env/bin/activate

Within the activated environment, "python" commands will use the Python 2.7 interpreter. When you exit the environment, it will revert back to the default system Python version.

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