How to Install Python 3 from Tarball: A Comprehensive Guide
Python is a widely-used interpreted high-level programming language. Sometimes, you may want to install Python from source using a tarball, especially if a prebuilt package is not available or if you need a specific version. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing Python 3 from a tarball on macOS and Linux systems. We will also discuss the installation steps on Windows, although the process may vary slightly.
Steps to Install Python 3 from Tarball
Below are the detailed steps to install Python 3 from a tarball:
Download the tarball: You need to download the Python source code tarball from the official Python website. Visit and select the latest version of Python 3. Extract the files: Once you have downloaded the tarball, extract the files using a tar utility. On most Unix-like operating systems, you can use:tar -xvf
This will extract the contents in a directory named Python-3.x.y.
Configure the build: Before you start the build process, it is a good idea to navigate to the extracted directory:cd Python-3.x.y
During the ./configure step, you can set some options. For instance, you can choose the installation prefix where Python will be installed. This is the directory where the Python binaries and libraries will be placed. By default, Python might be installed in /usr/local/bin and /usr/local/lib. However, you may prefer to install Python in your preferred location, such as /usr/bin and /usr/lib.
./configure --prefix/usr/localBuild the package: After configuration, you can build the package using the make command:
make
This step compiles the source code into the required binaries.
Install the package: Finally, use sudo make install to install Python on your system:sudo make install
This will install Python and all its dependencies in the specified directory.
Customizing the Installation Path
One of the ./configure options controls the installation path for binary and library files. By default, Python may be installed under /usr/local. However, if you want to install Python in a different location, you can use the --prefix option during the configuration step:
./configure --prefix/path/to/install
For example, if you want to install Python in /usr, you can use:
./configure --prefix/usr
This ensures that the Python binaries and libraries are installed in /usr/bin and /usr/lib respectively.
Handling System Python
Some system tools, such as the Python interpreter or certain system packages, may rely on the python3 softlink in /usr/bin. It is important to ensure that the installation does not interfere with these tools. Before starting the installation, you can capture the current state of the python3 softlink:
readlink /usr/bin/python3
After the installation, verify that the softlink is still pointing to the correct location:
readlink /usr/bin/python3
Be cautious with the installation process and avoid modifying the softlink unless necessary. Changing the softlink can affect system functionality, leading to system failures. If the softlink gets broken, you can restore it by creating a new softlink:
ln -s /path/to/install/bin/python3 /usr/bin/python3
Conclusion
Installing Python 3 from tarball provides flexibility and control over the installation process. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can install Python 3 on your system, whether you are using macOS, Linux, or Windows. Remember to be cautious while modifying system files and to verify the integrity of the installation after the process.