Python 2.7 on Ubuntu

Question

I am new to Python and am working on a Linux machine (Ubuntu 10.10). It is running python 2.6, but I'd like to run 2.7 as it has features I want to use. I have been urged to not install 2.7 and set that as my default python.

My question is, how can I install 2.7 and run it side by side with 2.6?

Answer 1

I did it with pythonbrew on my Ubuntu 10.10 machine.

$ python -V
Python 2.6.6
$ curl -kL https://raw.github.com/utahta/pythonbrew/master/pythonbrew-install | bash
$ . $HOME/.pythonbrew/etc/bashrc
$ pythonbrew install 2.7.1
$ pythonbrew switch 2.7.1
Switched to Python-2.7.1
$ python -V
Python 2.7.1

I also used it to install Python 3.2.