Install Python 3.8 on CentOS 7 CentOS 8

Install Python 3.8 on CentOS 7 CentOS 8

Python works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi, BS, and many other systems. As of this article update, the latest release of Python is version Python 3.8.12. This is the version of Python that we’ll install in this guide.

Step 1: Install Python Dependencies

As we’ll install Python from the source, let’s install the packages required for Python installation.

sudo yum -y install epel-release
sudo yum -y update

Install build dependencies:

sudo yum -y groupinstall "Development Tools"
sudo yum -y install openssl-devel bzip2-devel libffi-devel xz-devel

Confirm gcc is available:

$ gcc --version
gcc (GCC) 4.8.5 20150623 (Red Hat 4.8.5-39)
Copyright (C) 2015 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
This is free software; see the source for copying conditions.  There is NO
warranty; not even for MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

Step 2: Download the latest Python 3.8 Archive

Now download the latest archive of the Python 3.8 release.

sudo yum -y install wget
wget https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.8.12/Python-3.8.12.tgz

Extract the package.

tar xvf Python-3.8.12.tgz

Change the created directory:

cd Python-3.8*/

Step 3: Install Python 3.8 on CentOS 7 / CentOS 8

Setup installation by running the configure script.

./configure --enable-optimizations

Initiate compilation of Python 3.8.

sudo make altinstall

If this was successful, you should get a message like below:

.....
Looking in links: /tmp/tmpy9yqf1bp
Collecting setuptools
Collecting pip
Installing collected packages: setuptools, pip
Successfully installed pip-19.2.3 setuptools-41.2.0

Step 4: Check Python 3.8 on CentOS 8 / CentOS 7.

Confirm that the installation of Python 3.8 on CentOS 8 / CentOS 7 was successful.

$ python3.8 --version
Python 3.8.12

Pip is also installed.

$ pip3.8 --version
pip 19.2.3 from /usr/local/lib/python3.8/site-packages/pip (python 3.8)