python - creating an alias for python3

Question

I have python2.6.6 installed in my system. Now I am trying to use python3 while keeping all the python2.6.6 untouched in /usr/bin/. I am able to install python3 in /opt/python35/bin/. By adding export PATH=/opt/python35/bin/:$PATH to the ~/.bashrc file, I am able to access python3 anywhere in my console.

My question is: how could I set an alias (python) for python3 so that, whenever I issue command "python", python3 in /opt/python35/bin/ could be used? I simply couldn't remove python2.6.6 in my system due to some already installed programs in my system.

My current approach is to add a line in the ~/.bashrc file, alias python = "/opt/python35/bin/python3" or simply alias python = "python3". However, when I reload this ~/.bashrc file, I got the following error:

$ source ~/.bash_profile
bash: alias: python: not found
bash: alias: =: not found
bash: alias: /opt/python35/bin/python3: not found

Does anybody know where my problem is? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Spaces are not allowed next to the equal sign when declaring aliases.

Use

alias python=python3

and it should work.