Google Colab has become a go-to platform for many developers, data scientists, and researchers who need a powerful and convenient environment to run their Python code. However, you may have come across a situation where you need to change the default Python version on Google Colab. In this tutorial, we will show you how to change the Python version from the default 3.5 to 3.8 on Google Colab.
Step 1: Install Python 3.8 on Google Colab
First, you need to download and install Python 3.8 on your Google Colab environment. You can do this by running the following command:
!apt-get install python3.8
Step 2: Update Python Alternatives
Once Python 3.8 is installed, you need to update the alternatives to make sure that Google Colab uses the newly installed version. Run the following commands in order:
!sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/python3 python3 /usr/bin/python3.8 1
!sudo update-alternatives --config python3
!sudo update-alternatives --set python /usr/bin/python3.8
These commands will add Python 3.8 to the list of alternatives, configure it as the default Python version, and set Python 3.8 as the default for your environment.
Step 3: Verify the Python Version
Now that you have changed the Python version, you should verify that Google Colab is indeed using the new version. Run the following command to check the Python version:
!python3 --version
If everything went well, you should see “Python 3.8.x” as the output.
Step 4: Install the Required Packages
After changing the Python version, you may need to reinstall some packages to make them compatible with Python 3.8. You can use the following command to install the necessary packages:
!sudo apt install python3-pip
Conclusion
Changing the Python version on Google Colab might seem challenging, but with the right steps, it can be done quickly and efficiently. Now that you know how to change the Python version from the default 3.5 to 3.8 on Google Colab, you can take advantage of the latest features and improvements in Python 3.8 to enhance your projects and make your work even more efficient.
Remember, it’s always essential to keep your environment updated to leverage the most recent advancements in the Python programming language. Happy coding!
