How to install Python in Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Linux

Objective

Python 3 comes pre-installed as a default python interpreter for Ubuntu 18.04 desktop and server.

However, on other minimal Ubuntu 18.04 installations, eg. docker, python is missing and needs to be installed manually. The following guide will provide you with information on how to install Python in Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Linux.

Operating System and Software Versions

• Operating System: - Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver

Requirements

Privileged access to your Ubuntu System as root or via sudo command is required.

Conventions

• # - requires given linux commands to be executed with root privileges either directly as a root user or by use of sudo command
• $ - requires given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-privileged user

Other Versions of this Tutorial

Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa)

Instructions

Install Python 3 on Ubuntu

To install Python 3 version on your Ubuntu system execute the following linux command. If the sudo command is not available on your system and you are already logged in as a root user, the sudo command can be omitted:

$ sudo apt install python3-minimal

The above will provide you with a minimal installation of Python 3 interpreter. Check your Python version:

 $ python3 -V
Python 3.6.4+

Install Python 2 on Ubuntu

To install Python 2 version on Ubuntu 18.04 enter:

$ sudo apt install python-minimal

Check installed python version:

$ python --version
Python 2.7.14+

Install Python modules

Many Python modules are already part of the Ubuntu repository. To search for Python modules enter:

$ apt search MODULE-NAME

To install any particular python module, first obtain the package name of the module you wish to install using the above command and then run the following linux command to install it:

$ sudo apt install MODULE-PACKAGE-NAME

Alternatively, visit the following page if you need to install PIP tool for managing Python packages.