How to set Python3.5.2 as default Python version on CentOS?

Option 1) Creating a soft link actually has a drawback. "yum" does not support Python3. so, if you still decide to go with symlink creation then you also need to update the /usr/bin/yum\nln -s /usr/bin/python3 /usr/bin/python\n\nAnd update the shebang line with #!/usr/bin/python2 in /usr/bin/yum file\nOption 2) use alternatives\nalternatives --install /usr/bin/python python /usr/bin/python3.x 60\nalternatives --config python \n\nOption 3) create an alias in bash_profile\nalias python="/usr/bin/python3"\n",

As the question goes, Linux CentOS 7, how to set Python3.5.2 as default Python version?\n\nWill like to complement @OldFart's answer( Unforunately, can't comment else I would have).\n\nwhen using the install param with update-alternatives, you can set the priority in auto mode. Implicitly saying that the alternative with the highest priority will be the default alternative should no alternative have been set manually. using the above answer as an example,\n\nupdate-alternatives --install /usr/bin/python python /usr/bin/python2 50\n\n\nwill set the python2 alternative with a priority of 50, and \n\nupdate-alternatives --install /usr/bin/python python /usr/bin/python3.5 60\n\n\nwill set the python3.5 alternative with a priority of 60.\nand by default, the python 3.5 becomes the default python executable for the python command.\n\nshould you want to change your default python alternative,\n\nupdate-alternatives --config python\n\n\nFind this a better approach as i don't have to modify my path files.",

Using alternatives to set default to python3.6 still breaks yum. To fix change the python interpreter to /usr/bin/python2.7 in two files.\n[root@centos7 ~]# cat /usr/bin/yum\n#!/usr/bin/python2.7\n[root@centos7 ~]# cat /usr/libexec/urlgrabber-ext-down\n#!/usr/bin/python2.7\n\nI found the following article to be useful:\nhttps://rakeshjain-devops.medium.com/how-to-install-python-3-on-centos-7-7-using-yum-and-source-and-set-as-default-1dee13396f7",

If this \n\nsudo ln -fs /usr/bin/python3.5 /usr/bin/python\n\n\ndoesn't work (it should)\n\nyou could just add an alias into your /home/.bashrcwith this command:\n\nalias python=\"/usr/bin/python3.5\"\n\n\nand if this does not work either you should just use virtual env. Read this page to get started.",

I would suggest using alternatives instead.\n\nAs super-user (root) run the following:\n\n# Start by registering python2 as an alternative\nalternatives --install /usr/bin/python python /usr/bin/python2 50\n\n# Register python3.5 as an alternative\nalternatives --install /usr/bin/python python /usr/bin/python3.5 60\n\n# Select which Python version to use\nalternatives --config python\n\n\nThe last command will ask you to choose between registered/installed alternatives.\n\nAs always, well most of the time anyways, you can check out the manual (linux man pages) using this simple command\n\nman alternatives\n\n\nNote:\n\nAltho this answer refers to/make use of specific Python versions, the alternatives command, it's concepts and uses remain the same regardless of version numbers. It is strongly suggested that you read/learn more about the alternatives command in order to understand how it can help you better manage and use your system. Also, there is a good chance that some will correct bad/unusual practices currently in use on their machines. I see it with a great majority of people which i introduce to the concept. Here is a link to a very good and simple explanation of the alternatives command.",