Python is a powerful and versatile programming language that is commonly used for web development, data analysis, and machine learning. It is supported by a large and active community, making it a popular choice among developers. While the latest version of Python is 3.9, there are still many legacy systems and applications that rely on Python 2.7. In this article, we will guide you through the process of loading Python 2.7 on Linux SUSE or RedHat.
Step 1: Check for Existing Python Version
Before installing Python 2.7, it is important to check if your system already has a version of Python installed. To do this, open your terminal and enter the command:
$ python --version
If the output shows Python 2.7.x, then you can skip the installation process. If not, proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Download Python 2.7
The first step in installing Python 2.7 is to download the installation package from the official Python website. Go to https://www.python.org/downloads/release/python-2718/ and select the appropriate package for your Linux distribution (SUSE or RedHat).
Step 3: Install Dependencies
Python 2.7 requires certain libraries and tools to be installed on your system. These include development tools, libraries, and header files. To install them, enter the following command in your terminal:
$ sudo yum groupinstall "Development Tools"
$ sudo yum install zlib-devel bzip2-devel openssl-devel ncurses-devel sqlite-devel readline-devel tk-devel gdbm-devel db4-devel libpcap-devel xz-devel
Step 4: Extract and Compile Python 2.7
Once the dependencies are installed, navigate to the directory where you downloaded the Python 2.7 package and extract it using the following command:
$ tar -xvf Python-2.7.18.tgz
Next, change into the extracted directory and run the following commands to configure and compile Python 2.7:
$ ./configure --prefix=/usr/local --enable-shared
$ make
$ sudo make altinstall
The --enable-shared option ensures that Python is installed as a shared library, which is necessary for some applications to work properly.
Step 5: Set the Default Python Version
By default, the python command will still point to the existing version of Python on your system. To make Python 2.7 the default version, create a symbolic link using the following command:
$ sudo ln -s /usr/local/bin/python2.7 /usr/local/bin/python
Step 6: Test the Installation
To ensure that Python 2.7 is installed correctly, run the following command in your terminal:
$ python --version
The output should now show Python 2.7.x as the default version.
Step 7: Use Python 2.7
You can now start using Python 2.7 for your development projects. To run a Python script, use the following command:
$ python myscript.py
Alternatively, you can specify the version of Python to use by adding the shebang line at the top of your script:
#!/usr/local/bin/python2.7
print("Hello, World!")
Step 8: Uninstalling Python 2.7
If you wish to remove Python 2.7 from your system, simply delete the symbolic link and the extracted directory. You can also run the following command to remove the libraries and header files that were installed during the compilation process:
$ make clean
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to load Python 2.7 on Linux SUSE or RedHat. By following these steps, you can easily switch between Python 2.7 and other versions of Python on your system. It is important to note that Python 2.7 will no longer be supported after 2020, so it is recommended to migrate to the latest version of Python as soon as possible. Happy coding!
