How to install python from source on linux (Ubuntu-based example)

how_to_install_python_from_source_on_ubuntu_linux.md

How to install python from source on on Ubuntu (and other Debian-based distros).

Note:

• I will use Python 3.10.19 for this example. Feel free to replace it with your preferred version.
• Python will be installed alongside the existing version already present in your system (i.e. It will not overwrite the default python3 binary).

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Steps

• In your terminal, update the package list:

sudo apt update

• Install the dependencies that will be useful for the build process:

sudo apt install -y \
	libbz2-dev \
	libgdbm-dev \
	libdb-dev \
	libffi-dev \
	liblzma-dev \
	libncurses5-dev \
	libreadline-dev \
	libsqlite3-dev \
	libssl-dev \
	pkg-config \
	python3-tk \
	tk-dev \
	uuid-dev \
	zlib1g-dev

• Download your preferred version of Python from the official website: https://www.python.org/ftp/python/

• Use wget to download the tar file:

wget https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.10.19/Python-3.10.19.tar.xz

• Extract the downloaded tar file:

tar -xvf Python-3.10.19.tar.xz

• Navigate to the extracted directory:

cd Python-3.10.19

Inside the extracted directory, run the following commands:

• Configure the build environment:

./configure

• Compile the source code:

make

• Install Python alongside the existing version already present in your system:

sudo make altinstall

• Verify the installation by checking the Python version:

python3.10 --version

You should see the installed version of Python printed in the terminal.
for example:

Python 3.10.19