python 2 instead of python 3 as the (temporary) default python?

Question

on my computer

~$ python -V
 Python 3.2.1

but I get into problems when I run some python programs. my guess is (or at least I want to try this) that there is some backward compatibility issues, and I want to run those python scripts with

 python2 2.7.2-2

which is also installed on my system but I do not know how to make it as the (temporary) default python. The python script starts with

 #!/usr/bin/env python

and I am using arch linux.

Answer 1

You can use virtualenv

# Use this to create your temporary python "install"
# (Assuming that is the correct path to the python interpreter you want to use.)
virtualenv -p /usr/bin/python2.7 --distribute temp-python

# Type this command when you want to use your temporary python.
# While you are using your temporary python you will also have access to a temporary pip,
# which will keep all packages installed with it separate from your main python install.
# A shorter version of this command would be ". temp-python/bin/activate"
source temp-python/bin/activate

# When you no longer wish to use you temporary python type
deactivate

Enjoy!