How to Check Python Version

Are you unsure which version of Python is installed on your computer? Checking the Python version is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps. Whether you are using Windows, Mac, or Linux, you can easily check the Python version installed on your machine.

Python is a popular programming language used for various purposes, such as web development, data analysis, and machine learning. It is important to know which version of Python you are using because different versions may have different features and functions. Checking the Python version is also necessary when running a Python script to ensure that it is compatible with the version of Python installed on your computer. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to check the Python version installed on your machine.

Table of Contents

How to Check Python Version

If you are working with Python, it is important to know which version you are using. Checking your Python version is easy and can be done in a few simple steps. Here’s how to do it:

Windows

To check your Python version on Windows, follow these steps:

Open PowerShell.
Type python --version and press Enter.
The version number of your Python installation will be displayed.

macOS

To check your Python version on macOS, follow these steps:

Open Terminal.
Type python --version and press Enter.
The version number of your Python installation will be displayed.

Linux

To check your Python version on Linux, follow these steps:

Open Terminal.
Type python --version and press Enter.
The version number of your Python installation will be displayed.

Python 2 vs. Python 3

It is important to note that there are two major versions of Python: Python 2 and Python 3. If you are working with Python 3, you can check the version number by typing python3 --version instead of python --version. If you are unsure which version of Python you are using, you can check by running the python command and looking at the version number that is displayed.

Conclusion

Checking your Python version is an important step in working with Python. By following these simple steps, you can quickly and easily determine which version of Python you are using.

Checking Python Version on Windows

If you have installed Python on your Windows computer and want to check its version, you can do so using the Command Prompt. Here’s how:

Using Command Prompt

Open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key and typing “cmd” in the search bar. Click on the Command Prompt app to open it.
Type the following command in the Command Prompt window and press Enter:
```
python --version
```
This command will display the version of Python that is currently installed on your computer.

If you have multiple versions of Python installed on your computer, you can specify which version you want to check by replacing “python” with “python3” or “python2” depending on the specific version you want to check.

For example, if you want to check the version of Python 3, type the following command:
```
python3 --version
```
If you want to check the version of Python 2, type the following command:
```
python2 --version
```

That’s it! Now you know how to check the version of Python installed on your Windows computer using the Command Prompt.

Checking Python Version on MacOS

Using Terminal

If you’re using a Mac, checking your Python version is straightforward. You can use the Terminal application, which is pre-installed on all Macs. Here’s how:

Open Spotlight by clicking on the magnifying glass icon in the upper-right corner of your screen.
Type “Terminal” in the search bar and press Enter.
In the Terminal window, type the following command:
```
python --version
```
This will display the version of Python that is currently installed on your Mac.

If you have both Python 2 and Python 3 installed on your Mac, you can use the following command to check the version of Python 3:

python3 --version

This command will display the version of Python 3 that is currently installed on your Mac.

It’s important to note that some Macs may not have Python pre-installed. If you don’t have Python installed on your Mac, you can follow a tutorial to install it.

Checking Python Version on Linux

If you’re a Linux user and want to check which version of Python you have installed, there are a few simple ways to do so. In this section, we’ll cover the most common method of checking Python version on Linux.

Using Terminal

The easiest way to check your Python version on Linux is by using the terminal. To open the terminal, press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard, or search for “Terminal” in your application menu.

Once you have the terminal open, enter the following command:

python --version

This will display the version of Python that is currently installed on your system. If you have both Python 2 and Python 3 installed, you can use the following command to check the version of Python 3:

python3 --version

If you want to check your Python version within the Python REPL, simply open the terminal and type python or python3 to enter the REPL. Once you’re in the REPL, type the following command:

import sys
print(sys.version)

This will display the version of Python that you’re currently using within the REPL.

That’s it! Checking your Python version on Linux is simple and straightforward. If you’re new to Python or the Linux terminal, this tutorial should help you get started.

Checking Python Version using ‘sys’ Module

If you want to check which version of Python is running your script, you can use the ‘sys’ module. Here’s how:

Open your Python script in your preferred text editor.
Add the following code at the beginning of your script:

import sys
print("Python Version:", sys.version_info.major, ".", sys.version_info.minor, ".", sys.version_info.micro)

Save and run your script.

The output will show you the major, minor, and micro version of Python that is running your script. For example, if you see “Python Version: 3.9.2” in the output, it means that you are running Python 3.9.2.

It is important to keep your Python version up to date to ensure that you have access to the latest features and security updates. Additionally, if you are working on a project that needs to be compatible with a specific version of Python, you can use the ‘sys’ module to ensure that you are running the correct version.

In summary, using the ‘sys’ module to check your Python version is a simple and effective way to ensure that you are running the correct version of the programming language for your needs.

Key Takeaways

Checking your Python version is an essential task that you should know how to do. Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind:

Different operating systems have different ways to check the Python version. For example, on Windows, you can use PowerShell, while on Mac or Linux, you can use the Terminal.
You can check the version of Python installed on your machine by running a single command. For instance, type python --version into PowerShell on Windows or the Terminal on Mac or Linux.
If you have multiple Python versions installed, you can check which version is running your script by using the sys module in Python.
To view the Python 3 version, run python3 --version instead.
It’s essential to keep your Python version up-to-date to ensure compatibility with the latest libraries and frameworks.

In summary, knowing how to check your Python version is crucial, and it’s relatively easy to do. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can quickly determine which version of Python you’re running and ensure that it’s up-to-date.