How to Install Python 3 on CentOS 7

How to Install Python 3 on CentOS 7

CentOS 7, a popular server operating system known for its stability, ships with Python 2.x by default. However, many modern applications require Python 3, which offers significant improvements and new features. Installing Python 3 on CentOS 7 is an essential step for developers and system administrators who want to keep their environments up to date. This guide will walk you through the process of installing Python 3 on CentOS 7.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure that you have:

• Root or sudo access to your CentOS 7 machine.
• An updated system to ensure compatibility.

Step 1: Update Your System

Before installing Python 3, it is a good practice to update your system to ensure all existing packages are up to date. Run the following commands:

This will update all packages and dependencies to the latest versions available in the CentOS repositories.

Step 2: Install the Required Development Tools

To compile Python or install certain Python packages, you will need some development tools. Install them with the following command:

These tools include gcc, make, and other libraries that are necessary for building Python and its extensions.

Step 3: Enable the EPEL Repository

Python 3 is not available in the default CentOS 7 repositories, so we need to enable the EPEL (Extra Packages for Enterprise Linux) repository:

The EPEL repository includes many additional packages, including Python 3, that are not present in the standard CentOS repositories.

Step 4: Install Python 3

With the EPEL repository enabled, you can install Python 3. There are two main options depending on the version you want:

1. Install Python 3.6 Using yum: The simplest option is to install Python 3.6:
   sudo yum install -y python3


   This will install Python 3.6 along with pip3, the package manager for Python.

2. Install a Newer Python Version (e.g., Python 3.9): If you require a newer version of Python, such as Python 3.9, you can use the Software Collections (SCL):
   sudo yum install -y centos-release-scl
sudo yum install -y rh-python39


   After installation, enable Python 3.9 with:

   scl enable rh-python39 bash


   This will allow you to use Python 3.9 within the current terminal session.

Step 5: Verify the Installation

To make sure Python 3 is installed correctly, check the version using the following command:

You should see an output like this:

Or, if you installed Python 3.9:

Step 6: Set Python 3 as the Default Version (Optional)

If you want Python 3 to be the default version when running python commands, create an alias:

This will make python point to python3 in your shell sessions.

Step 7: Install pip for Python 3

pip is usually installed automatically with Python 3. However, if it’s not available, you can install it using:

Verify the installation with:

This should display the installed version of pip, confirming that it is ready for use.

Step 8: Create a Python Virtual Environment (Recommended)

Using a virtual environment is a good practice for Python development, as it isolates project dependencies:

Activate the virtual environment with:

You will see that your terminal prompt changes, indicating that the virtual environment is active. To deactivate it, simply run:

Conclusion

You have successfully installed Python 3 on CentOS 7! Whether you are using Python 3.6 or a newer version like Python 3.9, you now have the tools you need for modern Python development. This setup allows you to leverage the latest Python features and libraries while maintaining the stability of CentOS 7.