Installing Python 3.12 on Debian 12 A Step-by-Step Guide
As a developer, staying up-to-date with the latest versions of programming languages is crucial for leveraging new features and optimisations. In this article, we’ll walk through the process of installing Python 3.12 on Debian 12.
Why Install Python 3.12?
Python 3.12 is the newest major release of the Python programming language, boasting numerous improvements and enhancements. By installing this version, you can take advantage of these updates and improve your development workflow.
Manual Installation from Source Code
While it’s possible to install Python from a repository, we’ll explore the manual installation process using source code. This method provides more control over the installation process and allows for customization.
Update System
Before proceeding, ensure your system is up-to-date by running:
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apt update -y
Next, upgrade any existing packages to their latest versions:
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apt upgrade -y
Install Required Dependencies
Install necessary packages to build Python from source:
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apt install -y build-essential libssl-dev zlib1g-dev libbz2-dev \
libreadline-dev libsqlite3-dev wget curl llvm libncurses5-dev libncursesw5-dev \
xz-utils tk-dev libffi-dev liblzma-dev python3-openssl git
Download Python Source Code
Visit the Python downloads page to retrieve the source code. Then, using wget, download the source:
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wget https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.12.0/Python-3.12.0.tgz
Extract and Configure the Archive
Extract the downloaded archive:
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tar -xf Python-3.12.0.tgz
Navigate to the extracted directory:
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cd Python-3.12.0
Configure and build Python with optimizations enabled:
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./configure --enable-optimizations
Build and Install Python
Build Python using multiple CPU cores (replace 8 with your desired number of cores):
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make -j 8
Finally, install Python without replacing the system’s default interpreter (using altinstall):
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make altinstall
Verify Installation
Check if Python 3.12 has been installed successfully:
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python3.12 --version
The output should display the version you just installed:
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root@vps:~/Python-3.12.0# python3.12 --version
Python 3.12.0
root@vps:~/Python-3.12.0#
By following these steps, you’ve successfully installed Python 3.12 on your Debian 12 system. Enjoy the benefits of this new version and explore its features!