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How to use Pyenv to install multiple Python versions on Unihiker?

Preface

The UNIHIKER M10 is a development board running the Debian 10 operating system, capable of running full Python3. Since Debian 10 comes with Python 3.7 by default, some newer libraries, especially AI-related ones, may require higher versions of Python, such as 3.8 or 3.12.

Because the UNIHIKER M10 runs Linux, multiple Python versions can be installed. The pyenv tool is designed to manage different Python versions. It can install or uninstall various Python versions and direct the system's default python and pip commands to any of these versions.

Note: Tools like conda, miniconda, or miniforge can also manage multiple Python versions, but they consume more resources and are not recommended for use on the UNIHIKER board.

Installing pyenv

There are two methods to install pyenv on the UNIHIKER M10: 1. (Recommended) Use system version 0.4.1 or later. Starting from version 0.4.1, pyenv and multiple Python versions are pre-installed, eliminating the need for additional installation.

To check the system version: Go to Home Menu > System Info. To upgrade the system: Visit https://www.unihiker.com/wiki/SystemAndConfiguration/UnihikerOS/unihiker_os_image/#os-image.

  1. Manually install pyenv on the UNIHIKER board. This requires basic Linux terminal command-line knowledge. Follow instructions here: https://github.com/liliang9693/unihiker-pyenv-python/blob/master/README.md.

Using pyenv

Once pyenv is installed, connect to the UNIHIKER terminal to check versions or switch between them.

Note: Pay attention to spaces and hyphens in commands. Copy (Ctrl+C) and paste (Ctrl+V) commands directly into the terminal.

  • Check the current Python version. If unsure about the current Python version, use this command or check System Info in the Home menu (available in system versions 0.4.1 and above).
python --version

  • List installed Python versions under pyenv. This command displays all Python versions managed by pyenv. Here, system refers to the default Python 3.7, and the asterisk (*) indicates the currently active version.
pyenv versions

  • Switch Python versions: Use these commands to switch versions. After switching, verify with the previous version-checking command.

    Note: Each Python version uses a unique pip repository path. While the default (system) includes many pre-installed libraries, newer Python versions initially have only minimal libraries (e.g., setup, unihiker, pinpong). If errors like no module xxxx occur after switching, manually install missing libraries via .

pyenv global 3.8.5

pyenv global 3.12.7

pyenv global system

Additional Commands

  • List all installable Python versions: 

    pyenv install --list

  • Install a specific Python version (e.g., 3.9.7): 

    pyenv install <version>

  • Refresh the version list: Run after installing a new version and check with pyenv versions. 

    pyenv rehash

  • Uninstall a Python version: Cannot uninstall system. 

    pyenv uninstall <version>