How to Change python-config for Your Current Python Version on macOS

Описание: Learn how to update your `python-config` to match your current Python version, especially when using Anaconda on macOS. This guide covers the essential steps for seamless configuration.
---
This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/66406086/ asked by the user 'Nicolas H' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/11384741/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/66665927/ provided by the user '6etacat' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/5137419/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: python: how to change python-config into my current python version

Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA https://meta.stackexchange.com/help/l...
The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license.

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
How to Change python-config for Your Current Python Version on macOS

If you're a Python developer working with multiple Python versions, you might have encountered a common issue: mismatched configurations. For instance, you might find that the command which python returns your desired Python version, while which python-config points to an older version, such as Python 2.7. This can lead to confusion when trying to manage packages and dependencies. In this post, we will provide a clear solution to ensure that your python-config is aligned with your current Python version, especially if you're using Anaconda on macOS.

Understanding the Problem

When you run the command which python, it indicates the location of the current Python interpreter you are using. However, if you also check which python-config and find that it points to a different Python version (like Python 2.7), you need to change this configuration. This discrepancy can lead to compatibility issues, particularly when compiling extensions or libraries that depend on the correct version of Python.

Example of the Issue:

Current Python Version:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Mismatched Python Config:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Solution Steps to Align python-config

To resolve this issue and link python-config to your active Python version, follow these steps:

Step 1: Check for python-config or python3-config

Inside your Anaconda installation, navigate to the directory where Anaconda places its binaries, typically at /opt/anaconda3/bin.

Run the following commands in the terminal:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

If you see python3-config, you can use that without any further changes. This is preferable for Python 3.x projects.

Step 2: Install python-config for Conda Environment

If there is no python3-config available, it may not be installed for your Anaconda environment. You can easily add it using pip.

Make sure you are working within your Anaconda environment by activating it:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Then, run the following command to install python-config:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Additional Consideration: Setting Up Aliases

To avoid future headaches with version discrepancies, you can set up aliases in your shell configuration file (like .bash_profile or .zshrc):

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

After adding the above line to your configuration file, don’t forget to refresh it with:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can easily configure your python-config to match your current Python version, ensuring smoother development experiences. Regularly checking the paths and configurations can save you from significant compatibility issues down the line. Stay organized, and happy coding!