Change default python version
Test current default version
pi@idefix03 ~ $ python
Python 2.7.16 (default, Oct 10 2019, 22:02:15)
[GCC 8.3.0] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>
Check installed versions
pi@raspi: $ ls -l /usr/bin/python*
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 7 Mar 4 2019 /usr/bin/python -> python2
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Mar 4 2019 /usr/bin/python2 -> python2.7
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 2984816 Oct 11 2019 /usr/bin/python2.7
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 9 Mar 26 2019 /usr/bin/python3 -> python3.7
-rwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4275580 Jan 22 2021 /usr/bin/python3.7
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 36 Jan 22 2021 /usr/bin/python3.7-config -> arm-linux-gnueabihf-python3.7-config
-rwxr-xr-x 2 root root 4275580 Jan 22 2021 /usr/bin/python3.7m
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 37 Jan 22 2021 /usr/bin/python3.7m-config -> arm-linux-gnueabihf-python3.7m-config
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 16 Mar 26 2019 /usr/bin/python3-config -> python3.7-config
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Mar 26 2019 /usr/bin/python3m -> python3.7m
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 17 Mar 26 2019 /usr/bin/python3m-config -> python3.7m-config
pi@raspi: $ update-alternatives --list python
update-alternatives: error: no alternatives for python
pi@raspi:$ sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/python python /usr/bin/python2.7 1
pi@raspi:$ sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/python python /usr/bin/python3.7 2
List alternatives again
pi@raspi:$ update-alternatives --list python
/usr/bin/python2.7
/usr/bin/python3.7
Select alternative
pi@raspi:$ update-alternatives --config python
There are 2 choices for the alternative python (providing /usr/bin/python).
Selection Path Priority Status
------------------------------------------------------------
* 0 /usr/bin/python3.7 2 auto mode
1 /usr/bin/python2.7 1 manual mode
2 /usr/bin/python3.7 2 manual mode
Press <enter> to keep the current choice[*], or type selection number:
Remove alternative
pi@raspi: $ update-alternatives --remove python /usr/bin/python2.7