Python in AL2023
AL2023 removed Python 2.7 and any components requiring Python are now written to work with Python 3.
AL2023 makes Python 3 available as /usr/bin/python3
to retain compatibility with customer code, as well as Python
code shipped with AL2023, this will remain as Python 3.9 for the life of
AL2023.
The version of python that /usr/bin/python3 points to
is considered the system Python and for AL2023 this is
Python 3.9.
AL2023 currently provides newer versions of Python, including versions 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, and 3.14. Each version is supported for the same period of time as upstream Python. For more information, see Package support statements.
Multiple versions of Python can be installed simultaneously on
AL2023. Although /usr/bin/python3 will always be Python 3.9,
each version of Python is namespaced and can be found by its version
number. For example, if python3.11 is installed, then
/usr/bin/python3.11 will exist alongside
/usr/bin/python3.9 and the /usr/bin/python3
symlink to /usr/bin/python3.9.
Note
Do not change what the /usr/bin/python3 symlink
points to because this might break the core functionality of AL2023.
Migrating to newer Python versions
The upstream Python community provides migration documentation for moving:
Python modules in AL2023
Various Python modules are packaged as RPMs in AL2023. Typically, RPMs for Python modules will be built targeting only the system version of Python.
