How to install  'pyenv' Python version manager on Ubuntu 20.04

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How to install 'pyenv' Python version manager on Ubuntu 20.04

Overview:

pyenv - is a simple Python version manager tool, which allows you easily switch between multiple versions of Python. You can set local or global system-wide Python versions via the tool.

Installation:

  1. Install all required prerequisite dependencies:
    sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get install make build-essential libssl-dev zlib1g-dev \
    libbz2-dev libreadline-dev libsqlite3-dev wget curl llvm \
    libncursesw5-dev xz-utils tk-dev libxml2-dev libxmlsec1-dev libffi-dev liblzma-dev
    
  2. Download and execute installation script:
    curl https://pyenv.run | bash
    
  3. Add the following entries into your ~/.bashrc file:
    # pyenv
    export PATH="$HOME/.pyenv/bin:$PATH"
    eval "$(pyenv init --path)"
    eval "$(pyenv virtualenv-init -)"
    
  4. Restart your shell:
    exec $SHELL
    
  5. Validate installation:
    pyenv --version
    

Uninstallation:

  1. Remove the ~/.pyenv folder
    rm -fr ~/.pyenv
    
  2. Delete the following entries from your ~/.bashrc file:
    export PATH="$HOME/.pyenv/bin:$PATH"
    eval "$(pyenv init --path)"
    eval "$(pyenv virtualenv-init -)"
    
  3. Restart your shell
    exec $SHELL
    

Basic commands:

  1. To install specific version use install flag:
    pyenv install 3.8.0
    
  2. To list all available installed versions of Python on your system:
    pyenv versions
    
  3. To set a specific version of Python global (system-wide) use global flag:
    pyenv global 3.8.0
    
  4. To set a specific version of Python local (project-based) use local flag:
    pyenv local 3.8.0
    

Reference:

  1. Command reference
  2. Troubleshooting / FAQ