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Python Setting Up a Local Python Environment Installing Python and Python Libraries Locally Installing Python 3 on Mac OS X

Peter Byriel
Peter Byriel
9,643 Points
Posted by Peter Byriel
Peter Byriel
9,643 Points

Why does "python" in terminal start python 2?

I installed the latest version without any trouble at all. But noticed that in Terminal I need to type python3 to get the newest version to run, otherwise the terminal starts python 2.7.something.

Was wondering if there is a standard way to change this?

3 Answers

Kenneth Love
STAFF
Kenneth Love
Treehouse Guest Teacher
Kenneth Love
Kenneth Love
Treehouse Guest Teacher

Because Mac comes with a Python already installed, just not the one we want to be using. The Mac installer uses python3 because overriding the system Python can produce some horrible effects.

Peter Byriel
Peter Byriel
9,643 Points
Peter Byriel
Peter Byriel
9,643 Points

ok, so what you're saying is "DO NOT TAMPER WITH IT" :-) Thanks :-)

Sungbae Park
Sungbae Park
9,389 Points
Sungbae Park
Sungbae Park
9,389 Points

seems like there's a way to override to the newest version of python... you sure it's not recommended to change it?