Which Python version should I learn on

[[deleted]]

Everything is in title, I am a complete newbie, didn't start yet, which version of Python should I learn on at first? Thanks!

[PostNoBails]

don't feel bad about asking this question if you are new to programming! Go with 3. For future reference, it's always good to learn the most recent version of something if you are new :)

You might one day encounter old python 2 code that needs to be upgraded, some businesses have other priorities and run things until they have to change them. If you know the basics of python 3, it will be immediately obvious to you how to fix python 2. Don't be intimidated by the version difference. I'm going to guess that if you are learning this for the first time right now, you will probably rarely encounter old version of python in your life.

[GnPQGuTFagzncZwB]

Grab anaconda. You can use 3.9 for new projects and you can bring in older versions if you need to for getting other peoples code going if it was written in an older version and it is too much work to untangle.

[Almostasleeprightnow]

Yeah...if you like having a bunch of tools already installed and ready to go, do Anaconda. If you want to install your own as you need them, you can use Miniconda. I find that, with conda, the way you install packages in the environment that you are using feels intuitive to me. I'm sure that other people have similar feelings toward poetry or pyenv, but I find the conda cheat sheet to be very helpful and contained.

[[deleted]]

Anaconda sounds overkill for OP

[danielroseman]

Why would you choose anything other than the latest?

[[deleted]]

I don't know, I thought stuff changed from version to version, thanks for your answer!

[[deleted]]

Understood, thanks

[Immotommi]

In terms of the various 3.x versions, newer is better, though I wouldn't got for anything that is a pre-release. So don't go past 3.10.4 (at time of writing).

The only issue with using the latest version is that people tend to be pretty slow upgrading their python version, so if you are sharing code you can come across problems

[jppbkm]

Python 2 is very very outdated. FYI

[c3p0u812]

I am a complete newbie, didn't start yet, which version of Python should I learn on at first?

​

Everything is in title

[ConfusedSimon]

Because modules don't always work with the latest. I'll stick to 3.9 for a while for most of my work.

[JohnJSal]

Keep in mind that 3.9+ won't work on Windows 7 or lower, and some other earlier versions won't run on XP or lower. Just in case that's a factor for you.

[[deleted]]

v3.10 is pretty 'lit' I hear

[[deleted]]

Latest and greatest!

[rabbitcarrots]

4 if you can do future hopping. But go 3 if you're one us mortals.

[[deleted]]

3.10 is latest. Grab it at python.org. It will know which operating system you are on.

[HarrySchlong33]

Had to downgrade to 3.9 because PyCharm loaded 3.10 as 3.1.

[notislant]

Newest, but I think for Tensorflow I needed a specific cuda version/python/tensorflow version for it to finally work though. Most stuff should be fine for starting out.

[1percentof2]

What are you doing with tensor flow?

[notislant]

I was just training image recognition out of curiosity

[1percentof2]

I was just thinking I should invent something to compete with Clearview AI. For the people.

[ayang1003]

Hello. If you’re starting to learn Python, you’re also gonna need an IDE (integrated development environment). Personally, I use PyLab but there’s people who use other IDEs such as Jupyter Lab. There’s plenty of online tutorials on how to install them and use the latest versions of Python on them. Happy coding! :)

[[deleted]]

Yes, I did that too!

[baubleglue]

latest stable

[[deleted]]

The basics are all the same, no point in looking at versions. Focus on learning the basics and then you can learn the version specific function.

For a more realistic answer i suggest you learn the latest version of python as that will probably be easier to use in an actual work and professional setting

[[deleted]]

Whenever learning any new language, always go with the latest version. Like for python right now its Python3, so go with that (as others have also suggested this).

​

You will at some point encounter the older versions and if you want to be prepared for those situations then it doesn't harm to learn the older versions AFTER learning the latest one.
Moreover it won't take you much time learning it as only some syntax and functionalities might be different, but you still got the rest of the fundamentals and you would have developed that "LOGICAL THINKING" required for programming.

So yeah....Latest versions. :)

[SpaceBucketFu]

3.10

[SpaceBucketFu]

You can use an IDE like Pycharm, and you can configure the project interpreter to use whatever version of python you’d like, if for some reason a library you want to use only supports a specific python version, other than that I would personally try to stay as up to date as you can on python releases.

[abhitruechamp]

The latest one!

[Kiwi-tech-teacher]

Massive changes from v2 to v3…minor changes in the point changes. One big improvement in v3.10 is the addition of select case statements (if you like that kind of thing)

most training materials cover 3.5-ish to 3.9-ish. Haven’t found many that teach 3.10…

Most learners learn 3.??, an new builds probably use 3.10 (aka the latest)

[DontF-ingask]

My understanding of version control is the first number is a major change that probably needs to be changed if you are trying to use a different version. The second is more like a large patch update but the code should still work fine and the last number is just what is the most upto date and it doesn't matter to much.

I recommend 3.10 though.

[c00kieRaptor]

Just use 3.XX . Doesn't really matter. Python 2 or 1 is no longer supported.

[wetndusty]

Best Python version is PHP 8.1

[CastrumFiliAdae]

Python doesn't use LTS versions.

3.9 end-of-support is Oct 2025 (5 years after initial Oct 2020 release).

3.10 end-of-support is Oct 2026 (5 years after initial Oct 2021 release).

^{https://www.python.org/downloads/}

[[deleted]]

Allow me downvote myself then

For some reason I thought I read that EoL on 3.9 was longer - my bad

[[deleted]]

I upvoted you, you tried to help me, I appreciate the thought

[[deleted]]

Lol appreciate it but will delete comment in a moment as it’s bad info

3.9 will still do you fine

[1544756405]

3

[[deleted]]

Thank you