How to Check Where Python Is Installed Mac
Introduction
Which version of Python do I have installed?
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.
In this tutorial, learn how to check the Python version on Windows, Linux, or macOS systems.
Prerequisites
Access to a command-line/terminal window:
- Linux: Ctrl-Alt-T, Ctrl-Alt-F2
- Windows: Win+R > typepowershell> Enter/OK
- MacOS: Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal
There are different versions of Python, but the two most popular ones are Python 2.7.x and Python 3.7.x. The x stands for the revision level and could change as new releases come out.
When looking at the version number, there are usually three digits to read:
- the major version
- the minor version
- the micro version
While major releases are not fully compatible, minor releases generally are. Version 3.6.1 should be compatible with 3.7.1 for example. The final digit signifies the latest patches and updates.
Python 2.7 and 3.7 are different applications. Software that's written in one version often will not work correctly in another version. When using Python, it is essential to know which version an application requires, and which version you have.
Python 2 will stop publishing security updates and patches after 2020. They extended the deadline because of the large number of developers using Python 2.7. Python 3 includes a 2 to 3 utility that helps translate Python 2 code into Python 3.
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 entering the following:
python --version 
How 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 --version If 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) app Or,
Python 2.7 (32-bit) app This defines which major and minor revision (3.x or 2.x) you are using.
How to Check Python Version in MacOS
If using a MacOS, check the Python version by entering the following command in the terminal:
python -version The system will report the version.
Note: In some cases, this will return a screen full of information. If that happens, just scan through the file locations for the word python with a number after it. That number is the version.
Checking a System with Multiple Versions of Python
Python2 and Python3 are different programs. Many programs upgrade from the older version to the newer one. However, Python 2.7.x installations can be run separately from the Python 3.7.x version on the same system.
Python 3 is not entirely backward compatible.
To check for Python 2.7.x:
python --version To check the version of Python 3 software:
python3 --version Most systems differentiate Python 2 as python and Python 3 as python3. If you do not have Python 2, your system may use the python command in place of python3 .
Note: Python does not have a built-in upgrade system. You'll need to download the latest version and install it.
How to Check Python Version in Script
When writing an application, it is helpful to have the software check the version of Python before it runs to prevent crashes and incompatibilities.
Use the following code snippet to check for the correct version of Python:
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) When this script runs, it will test to see if Python 3.6 is installed on the system. If not, it will send a notification and displays the current Python version.
Conclusion
You should now have a solid understanding of how to check for the version of Python installed in several different operating systems. Python is a powerful programming language, thus it's important to understand its different versions.
If you want to learn how to upgrade Python to a newer version on Wondows, macOs, and Linux, check our article how to upgrade Python to 3.9.
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How to Check Where Python Is Installed Mac
Source: https://phoenixnap.com/kb/check-python-version