How to run a previous version of Python using virtualenv?

Question

My native python installation is currently 3.10.2, however there is a program I need to use that is only compatible with 2.7-3.8. Rather than deleting my native installation and installing an outdated version, I'm trying to run Python 3.8 in virtualenv, but even when I set pyenv global 3.8.13, the python version in my virtualenv is still 3.10.2.

Demonstration:

set global version

pyenv global 3.8.13

verify

pyenv global

returns

3.8.13

make virtual environment

pyenv virtualenv test 
pyenv activate test
python --version

returns

Python 3.10.2

Following the instructions on this post How do I install a previous version of Python into a virtualenv?, I have both pyenv and virtualenv installed, as well as python 3.8 in the $HOME/.pyenv/versions folder. Any idea why this version isn't being used in the virtual environments that I create?

output of pyenv versions

system
* 3.8.13 (set by $HOME/.pyenv/version)

Let me know if I can provide more detail.

In general, avoid setting a global Python. You don't want it messing somewhere is shouldn't. — eccentricOrange, Apr 07 '22 at 15:02
Solved using https://stackoverflow.com/questions/5506110/is-it-possible-to-install-another-version-of-python-to-virtualenv — lcleary, Apr 10 '22 at 15:46

eccentricOrange · Answer 1 · 2022-04-07T15:07:05.720

0

Does this help?

pyenv virtualenv 3.8.13 test

Then use either of the following:

cd /path/to/project
pyenv local 3.8.13/envs/test

pyenv activate 3.8.13/envs/test

Source: https://github.com/pyenv/pyenv-virtualenv#using-pyenv-virtualenv-with-pyenv

edited Apr 07 '22 at 15:07

answered Apr 07 '22 at 15:01

eccentricOrange

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No, was still 3.10.2 in the environment – lcleary Apr 07 '22 at 15:05
Try to restart your terminal and run `pyenv rehash`... – eccentricOrange Apr 07 '22 at 15:05
Same problem :/ restarted terminal then `pyenv rehash`, `pyenv activate test_2`, `python --version` returns `3.10.2` – lcleary Apr 07 '22 at 15:08
What does `pyenv which python` return? – eccentricOrange Apr 07 '22 at 15:08
`$HOME/.pyenv/versions/test_2/bin/python` – lcleary Apr 07 '22 at 15:09
Additionally, you could try this: `pyenv exec python --version` – eccentricOrange Apr 07 '22 at 15:09
Let us [continue this discussion in chat](https://chat.stackoverflow.com/rooms/243694/discussion-between-eccentricorange-and-lcleary). – eccentricOrange Apr 07 '22 at 15:10
fyi, still haven't figured this out – lcleary Apr 10 '22 at 15:24

How to run a previous version of Python using virtualenv?

1 Answers1