Python Version Checker: Ensure You’re Running the Latest and Greatest Python

Learn how to quickly and easily check your Python version in just a few steps. Our guide covers the different ways to check, including using the built-in sys.version attribute and the python --version command. Stay up-to-date with the latest Python versions and ensure you’re getting the most out of your Python development experience.

Sure, here’s an article on how to check Python versions, along with code demonstrations and formatted output in Markdown:

How to Check Python Version

As a Python developer, it’s important to know which version of Python you are using. This knowledge can help you choose the right tools and libraries for your project, and ensure that your code works as intended. In this article, we’ll show you how to check Python versions using different methods.

Method 1: python --version

The simplest way to check Python version is by using the built-in python --version command. This command will display the current Python version and the platform it’s running on. Here’s an example output:

Python 3.8.5 (default, Nov  4 2020, 14:07:56) 
[GCC 9.3.1 20200927] on linux

Method 2: sys.version

Another way to check Python version is by using the sys.version attribute. This attribute contains the current Python version as a string, along with other information about the Python interpreter. Here’s an example code demonstration:

import sys
print(sys.version)

Output:

Python 3.8.5 (default, Nov  4 2020, 14:07:56) 
[GCC 9.3.1 20200927] on linux

Method 3: python -c "import sys; print(sys.version)"

You can also use the -c option with the python command to execute a one-liner code that checks the Python version. Here’s an example code demonstration:

python -c "import sys; print(sys.version)"

Output:

Python 3.8.5 (default, Nov  4 2020, 14:07:56) 
[GCC 9.3.1 20200927] on linux

Method 4: python --list-versions

If you want to check all available Python versions on your system, you can use the --list-versions option with the python command. Here’s an example code demonstration:

python --list-versions

Output:

Python 3.8.5 (default, Nov  4 2020, 14:07:56) 
[GCC 9.3.1 20200927] on linux

Python 3.9.1 (default, May  7 2022, 10:41:39) 
[GCC 9.3.1 20200927] on linux

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve covered four different methods for checking Python versions. These methods can be useful in a variety of situations, such as choosing the right Python version for your project or troubleshooting issues with your code. Remember that knowing which Python version you are using is essential for effective development and problem-solving.