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Python Functions, Packing, and Unpacking Getting Info In and Out of Functions All About Returns

Arturo Acosta
Arturo Acosta
7,635 Points
Posted by Arturo Acosta
Arturo Acosta
7,635 Points

Maybe it went over my head but i realized she's typing python3 when executing the code, why?

I've been using python file_name.py to execute and its been all fine but i don't know if there is a difference and don't remembered if it was previously mentioned.

4 Answers

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
229,644 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
229,644 Points

If you have a modern Python installation, it's version 3. People who have been developing a long time might also have a Python version 2 installation, and they get into the habit of typing the version number with the name to be sure to run the correct one.

The important point is that when you type "python" you're doing the same thing as when you see the instructor type "python3".

Saikat Chowdhury
Saikat Chowdhury
3,128 Points
Saikat Chowdhury
Saikat Chowdhury
3,128 Points

If you type in Workspace REPL ,

  • python and enter , you will get Python 3.6.4 (it is a version of python)
  • if you run python3 and enter , it will return same as before (Python 3.6.4)
  • If you want, you can try python2 and enter, it will show Python 2.7.12

Here, i want to say .. If different versions of python installed in your machine then by mention python or python3 or python2 command can help you to access proper version of python shell. For us in workspace, python and python3 is mapped to same version thats why when we run (python ../ python3 ..) it works seamlessly.

Moaz Mansour
Moaz Mansour
4,594 Points
Moaz Mansour
Moaz Mansour
4,594 Points

Thanks, Arturo for the question. It is a matter of calling the right python. For instance, my Mac comes with a pre-installed python of version 2 so when I type down "python" in the shell it opens up the Python V2.X REPL. If I wanna access another version of python in this case version 3.x I install this new version and add the path to the executable file to the PATH variable in the shell and then call it by typing "python3". This means if I am testing or running my code in Python V2.x I should call "python" and if I am testing to running my code in Python version 3 I should call "python3". This also works for python packaging installation so if I am installing or updating a package or module for version 2 I would use "pip" and if I am doing the same for version 3 I would use "pip3"

Leonard Peris
Leonard Peris
15,784 Points
Leonard Peris
Leonard Peris
15,784 Points

I'd just like to expand the previous answers. As Steven Parker, Moaz Mansour & Saikat Chowdhury have rightly pointed, python2 and python3 launch the Python2 and Python3 REPLs respectively.

Python2 is the first implementation of Python. Python3 is the next version that aims to address and fulfill shortcomings of the prior implementation of Python. Unfortunately, it is not backwards compatible with Python2.

I urge you to read up on the differences between Python2 and Python3