# Python Installation - Fedora/RHEL/CentOS

## Check Current Version

```bash
python3 --version
```

If you see Python 3.11+, you're good to go! [← Back to main skill](../SKILL.md#step-2-create-virtual-environment)

---

## Installation Methods

### Option 1: DNF Package Manager (Fedora)

**Fedora usually includes recent Python versions:**

```bash
sudo dnf install python3.11 python3.11-devel python3.11-pip -y
```

**For Python 3.12/3.13 (if available):**
```bash
sudo dnf install python3.13 python3.13-devel -y
```

**Verify:**
```bash
python3.13 --version
```

---

### Option 2: RHEL/CentOS (Using EPEL)

**Enable EPEL repository:**
```bash
sudo dnf install epel-release -y
sudo dnf update -y
```

**Install Python:**
```bash
sudo dnf install python3.11 python3.11-devel python3.11-pip -y
```

---

### Option 3: Build from Source (Advanced)

**Install build dependencies:**
```bash
sudo dnf groupinstall "Development Tools" -y
sudo dnf install gcc openssl-devel bzip2-devel libffi-devel zlib-devel -y
```

**Download and build Python 3.13:**
```bash
cd /tmp
wget https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.13.0/Python-3.13.0.tgz
tar xzf Python-3.13.0.tgz
cd Python-3.13.0
./configure --enable-optimizations
make -j $(nproc)
sudo make altinstall  # Don't use 'install', use 'altinstall' to avoid replacing system python
```

**Verify:**
```bash
python3.13 --version
```

---

### Option 4: pyenv (Multiple Versions)

**Install dependencies:**
```bash
sudo dnf install gcc make patch zlib-devel bzip2 bzip2-devel \
  readline-devel sqlite sqlite-devel openssl-devel tk-devel \
  libffi-devel xz-devel -y
```

**Install pyenv:**
```bash
curl https://pyenv.run | bash
```

**Add to ~/.bashrc:**
```bash
export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"
export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"
eval "$(pyenv init --path)"
eval "$(pyenv init -)"
```

**Reload shell:**
```bash
source ~/.bashrc
```

**Install Python 3.13:**
```bash
pyenv install 3.13.0
pyenv global 3.13.0
```

**Verify:**
```bash
python --version
```

---

## Set Default Python Version

**Check available versions:**
```bash
ls /usr/bin/python*
```

**Set alternative:**
```bash
sudo alternatives --install /usr/bin/python3 python3 /usr/bin/python3.13 1
sudo alternatives --config python3
```

---

## Install pip

**Usually installed with python3:**
```bash
python3 -m pip --version
```

**If missing:**
```bash
sudo dnf install python3-pip -y
```

**Upgrade pip:**
```bash
python3 -m pip install --user --upgrade pip
```

---

## Troubleshooting

### Issue: `No package python3.13 available`

**Solutions:**
1. Check Fedora version: `cat /etc/fedora-release`
2. Update system: `sudo dnf update -y`
3. Try older version: `sudo dnf install python3.11 -y`
4. Use pyenv (Option 4 above)

### Issue: `No module named 'venv'`

**Install venv (usually included):**
```bash
sudo dnf install python3.13-venv -y
```

### Issue: Development headers missing

**Install development package:**
```bash
sudo dnf install python3.13-devel -y
```

### Issue: Permission denied

**Don't use sudo with pip inside venv:**
```bash
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install <package>  # No sudo needed
```

---

## Verification Checklist

- [ ] `python3 --version` shows 3.11+
- [ ] `python3 -m venv --help` works
- [ ] `python3 -m pip --version` works
- [ ] Can create test venv: `python3 -m venv test_venv`
- [ ] Can activate: `source test_venv/bin/activate`

**Clean up test:**
```bash
rm -rf test_venv
```

---

[← Back to django-project-setup](../SKILL.md)