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Install pyenv effortlessly: Step-by-step guide

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Installing pyenv with pyenv-installer

Installing pyenv allows you to manage multiple Python versions on your system easily. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the installation process using the pyenv-installer project.

Step 1: Install OS-Specific Dependencies

Before installing pyenv itself, we need to install some operating system-specific dependencies. These dependencies are development utilities written in C and are required because pyenv installs Python by building from source.

Step 2: Install pyenv

Once you have installed the build dependencies, you’re ready to install pyenv. We recommend using the pyenv-installer project, which simplifies the installation process.

Open your terminal and run the following command:

$ curl -L https://github.com/pyenv/pyenv-installer/raw/master/bin/pyenv-installer | bash

If you’re using a shell other than Bash, replace bash in the command with the name of your shell.

This command will download and run the pyenv-installer script, which installs pyenv and sets up your environment.

Step 3: Configure Your Terminal

After the installation is complete, you need to configure your terminal to use pyenv. Open your terminal configuration file, which can be ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, or ~/.profile depending on the shell you’re using.

Make sure the file contains the following lines:

Terminal window
export PATH="$HOME/.pyenv/bin:$PATH"
eval "$(pyenv init -)"

Note that the exact commands might vary depending on the version of pyenv-installer you used. If your terminal configuration file does not contain these lines, you can copy them from this tutorial.

Save the file and restart your terminal or run source ~/.your_terminal_config_file to apply the changes.

Step 4: Verify the Installation

To verify that pyenv is correctly installed, open a new terminal session and run the following command:

$ pyenv --version

You should see the version of pyenv printed on the screen, confirming the successful installation.

Additional Plugins

The pyenv-installer project also installs several useful plugins alongside pyenv:

  • pyenv-virtualenv: Allows you to create and manage virtual environments with pyenv.
  • pyenv-update: A plugin for updating pyenv itself and all pyenv plugins.
  • pyenv-doctor: Verifies that pyenv and build dependencies are installed correctly.
  • pyenv-which-ext: Automatically looks up system commands.

These plugins enhance the functionality of pyenv and can be handy in various scenarios. Feel free to explore them further.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully installed pyenv using the pyenv-installer project. With pyenv, you can now manage multiple Python versions effortlessly.

In the next tutorial, we will guide you through the process of installing a specific Python version using pyenv. Stay tuned for more Python tutorials.

Please note that the instructions and commands mentioned in this tutorial are subject to change. Always refer to the official documentation and resources for the latest information.

Happy coding with Python and pyenv!