When working with Python on Ubuntu 18.04, you may find yourself needing to remove older versions of Python and Pip. This can be due to various reasons, such as needing to free up disk space, or wanting to ensure that you’re using the latest and most secure versions of these tools. This article will guide you through the process of removing old versions of Python and Pip from your Ubuntu system.
To remove old versions of Python and Pip in Ubuntu 18.04, you can use the apt-get remove command to remove Python packages and the -m option with Python to uninstall Pip. However, it is important to note that the default version of Python (3.6.7) should not be uninstalled as it is necessary for the system. Always exercise caution when removing system packages and consult official documentation or seek advice if unsure.
Understanding the Python Environment in Ubuntu 18.04
Before we start, it’s important to note that Python 3.6.7 is the default version for Ubuntu 18.04, and it’s necessary for the system. Therefore, it should not be uninstalled. The system relies on this version of Python for its operations, and removing it could cause issues.
If you have installed other versions of Python in addition to the default one, these can be removed if they are no longer needed. Similarly, Pip, the Python package installer, can also have multiple versions installed, and older ones can be removed if they are not being used.
Identifying Installed Versions of Python and Pip
First, you need to identify the versions of Python and Pip that are installed on your system. You can do this by opening a terminal and running the following commands:
For Python:
python --versionFor Pip:
pip --versionThese commands will display the version numbers of Python and Pip that are currently being used by your system.
Removing Old Versions of Pip
To remove an old version of Pip, you can use the -m option with Python to run the pip module, and then use the uninstall command of pip. Here’s an example command that uninstalls pip for Python 2.7:
python2.7 -m pip uninstall pipIn this command, python2.7 specifies the version of Python for which you want to uninstall pip, -m pip tells Python to run the pip module, and uninstall pip is the command that pip executes to uninstall itself.
If you encounter a “Permission denied” error, you may need to run the command with sudo:
sudo python2.7 -m pip uninstall pipThe sudo command is used to execute commands with superuser privileges, which are required for tasks that modify system files.
Removing Old Versions of Python
To remove an old version of Python, you can use the apt-get remove command. Here’s an example command that removes Python 2.7:
sudo apt-get remove python2.7In this command, sudo is used to execute the command with superuser privileges, apt-get is the package handling utility in Ubuntu, remove is the command that tells apt-get to remove a package, and python2.7 is the package to be removed.
Remember to exercise caution when removing system packages, as they may be required by other applications or the operating system itself.
Conclusion
Removing old versions of Python and Pip in Ubuntu 18.04 can be a straightforward process when done carefully. Always remember to check the versions of these tools that are currently installed on your system, and ensure that you don’t remove any versions that are needed by the system or other applications. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to consult the official Python documentation or seek advice from experienced users or administrators.
No, it is not recommended to remove the default version of Python (Python 3.6.7) in Ubuntu 18.04 as it is necessary for the system to function properly.
To uninstall an old version of Pip, you can use the -m option with Python to run the pip module, and then use the uninstall command of pip. For example, to uninstall pip for Python 2.7, you can run the command python2.7 -m pip uninstall pip. If you encounter a "Permission denied" error, you may need to run the command with sudo: sudo python2.7 -m pip uninstall pip.
To remove an old version of Python, you can use the apt-get remove command. For example, to remove Python 2.7, you can run the command sudo apt-get remove python2.7. Please exercise caution when removing system packages, as they may be required by other applications or the operating system itself.
For more information about Python, you can refer to the official Python documentation. It provides detailed information about Python versions, usage, and various Python modules and libraries.
