Pyenv: simple Python version management

To run the commands in this article, you must log into your server via SSH with your Shell user. View the following articles for more information:

• SSH overview
• Enabling Shell access

pyenv lets you easily switch between multiple versions of Python. It's simple, unobtrusive, and follows the UNIX tradition of single-purpose tools that do one thing well. Follow the instructions here:

• https://github.com/yyuu/pyenv

Since the user doesn't have permission to the /var/foo/bar/tmp folder, you will have a "BUILD FAILED" error. Make sure you create a tmp folder in your home folder and tell pyenv to use it:

[server]$ cd ~
[server]$ mkdir tmp
[server]$ echo 'export TMPDIR="$HOME/tmp"' >> ~/.bash_profile

Due to resource limitations on shared hosting, your processes may be killed when compiling math modules such as numpy, pandas, matplotlib, etc. The best solution is to use `anaconda` or `miniconda` packages under `pyenv`.

[server]$ pyenv update

Check what's available

[server]$ pyenv install --list 

Install the version you desire

[server]$ pyenv install anaconda-x.x.x

Once you have `anaconda` as your Python environment, you can use `conda install` to install precompiled math modules, without the hassle of compiling. View the following article for further information:

• https://www.continuum.io/downloads

See also

• Python overview
• SSH overview
• Guidelines for setting up a Python file at DreamHost
• How to install a newer version of SWIG
• Installing a custom version of Python 2
• Installing a custom version of Python 3
• Installing and using virtualenv with Python 2
• Installing and using virtualenv with Python 3
• Python setuptools