In this article, we will delve into the process of installing libpython3.6m.so.1.0 on Ubuntu 20.04 for cross-compilation. This guide will be particularly useful for developers and system administrators who need to work with this specific version of the library.
Introduction
libpython3.6m.so.1.0 is a shared library for Python 3.6. It’s required for running Python applications that were compiled with Python 3.6. However, Ubuntu 20.04 comes pre-installed with Python 3.8, and the corresponding library libpython3.8.so.1.0 is available in the official Ubuntu repositories. This might pose a challenge if you need to work with Python 3.6 for cross-compilation purposes.
Checking for the Library in Ubuntu Repositories
The first step is to check if the libpython3.6m.so.1.0 package is available in the official Ubuntu repositories. Open your terminal and run the following command:
sudo apt search libpython3.6mThis command searches for the libpython3.6m package in the Ubuntu repositories. If the package is available, you can install it using the sudo apt install command. However, it’s likely that the package won’t be available, as Ubuntu 20.04 comes with Python 3.8 by default.
Creating a Symbolic Link
If the package is not available in the repositories, you can try creating a symbolic link to the existing libpython3.8.so.1.0 library. This is not the ideal solution, but it might work in some cases.
A symbolic link, or symlink, is essentially a file that points to another file or directory. In this case, we’re creating a symlink named libpython3.6m.so.1.0 that points to the libpython3.8.so.1.0 library.
Here’s the command to create the symlink:
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libpython3.8.so.1.0 /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libpython3.6m.so.1.0The -s flag indicates that we’re creating a symbolic link. The first path is the target (the file we’re linking to), and the second path is the name of the symlink.
Note: This method may not guarantee full compatibility between the two library versions, and it might cause issues in some cases.
Alternative Solutions
If neither of the above methods work, you may need to consider alternative solutions such as compiling the required library from source or finding a compatible version from external sources.
Compiling from source can be a complex process, but it allows you to build the exact version of the library you need. You can usually find the source code for Python libraries on the Python website.
If you choose to find a compatible version from external sources, be cautious. Obtaining libraries from external sources can be risky, as they may not be officially supported or secure. Always ensure that the source is trustworthy before downloading and installing any software.
Conclusion
While installing libpython3.6m.so.1.0 on Ubuntu 20.04 for cross-compilation can be a bit tricky due to the default Python version being 3.8, it’s not impossible. The methods outlined in this article should help you get started. However, remember that using libraries from different Python versions can lead to compatibility issues and unexpected behavior. It’s generally recommended to use libraries that are specifically built for the Python version you are using.
It is generally not recommended to use a different version of the library than the one your code was compiled with. There might be compatibility issues and unexpected behavior. It is best to use the specific version of libpython3.6m.so.1.0 for cross-compilation.
Yes, it is possible to install multiple versions of Python on Ubuntu 20.04. You can use tools like pyenv or conda to manage different Python versions on your system. However, it is important to be cautious and ensure that you are using the correct version of the library for your specific use case.
You can check the version of Python installed on your system by opening a terminal and running the command python3 --version. This will display the installed version of Python.
It is not recommended to uninstall libpython3.8.so.1.0 even if you create a symbolic link to libpython3.6m.so.1.0. Other applications or system processes might depend on the default Python version. It is best to keep the default Python installation intact and use the symlink as a workaround for your specific use case.
Obtaining libraries from external sources can be risky. These libraries may not be officially supported, and there could be security risks associated with them. It is important to ensure that the source is trustworthy and reliable before downloading and installing any software from external sources.
