How To Check Python Version In A Shell Script

Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language created by Guido van Rossum. It was first released in 1991. Generally, Linux based distros have pre-installed Python version.

This tutorial will help you to find Python version details inside a script. Also, you can ensure a Python script to run only the minimum version found.

import sys print(sys.version)12import sysprint(sys.version)

Output:

3.5.2 (default, Nov 12 2018, 13:43:14)
[GCC 5.4.0 20160609]

You can also find the details version info by using sys.version_info like below:

>>> sys.version_info sys.version_info(major=3, minor=5, micro=2, releaselevel='final', serial=0)123>>> sys.version_info sys.version_info(major=3, minor=5, micro=2, releaselevel='final', serial=0)

Show the Python hex version details. This value increases with every release of python.

>>> sys.hexversion 50660080123>>> sys.hexversion 50660080

Using Assert in Python

You can ensure a script runs with the minimal version required for your application. For example, if the Python application is running with a lower version of Python interpreter than required will be terminated. Add the following code to your application:

assert sys.version_info >= (3, 5)1assert sys.version_info >= (3, 5)