How to Install Python 3.9 on Debian 12, 11 or 10

Python 3.9 remains relevant for developers and system administrators working on Debian systems, including Debian 12 Bookworm, Debian 11 Bullseye, and Debian 10 Buster. This version offers a balance of stability and features, making it a viable option for various use cases.

Key Considerations for Python 3.9

• Compatibility: Python 3.9 is often required for applications or libraries that haven’t yet adapted to newer Python versions.
• Controlled Testing: Developers may use Python 3.9 in a controlled environment to test applications before upgrading to a newer Python version.
• Educational Use: Certain educational settings may specify using Python 3.9 for instructional purposes.

While Python 3.10 and 3.11 offer advanced features and optimizations, Python 3.9 provides a stable alternative for those who need it. This guide aims to be your go-to resource for installing Python 3.9 on Debian systems, whether you’re using Debian 12 Bookworm, Debian 11 Bullseye, or Debian 10 Buster. Stay tuned for step-by-step installation instructions.

Install Python 3.9 on Debian 12, 11, or 10 via source

Step 1: Update Debian Before Python 3.9 Installation

Before installing Python 3.9, update your Debian system packages:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install Development Packages for Python 3.9

In this step, we will install a group of packages necessary for compiling Python from the source code. These packages include development libraries and utilities that will facilitate the compilation process:

sudo apt install build-essential zlib1g-dev libncurses5-dev libgdbm-dev libnss3-dev libssl-dev libsqlite3-dev libreadline-dev libffi-dev curl libbz2-dev -y

Step 3: Download Python 3.9 Source Code

Next, download the Python 3.9 source code from the official Python website. Make sure to download the latest version of Python 3.9, which at the time of this writing is Python 3.9.17.

It’s advisable to visit the official Python website to verify if there is a newer release version available. The link provided in this guide serves as an example; be sure to modify it accordingly to download the most recent version in the future.

wget https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.9.17/Python-3.9.17.tar.xz

Step 4: Extract Python Archive and Move to Appropriate Directory on Debian

Once you download the source code, extract it:

tar -xf Python-3.9.17.tar.xz

Next, move the extracted files to a standard directory. Here, we use /usr/local/share:

mv Python-3.9.17 /usr/local/share/python3.9

Step 5: Configure, Compile, and Install Python 3.9 on Debian

Go to the directory with the Python source code. Run the ./configure script with optimization and shared library flags:

cd /usr/local/share/python3.9
./configure --enable-optimizations --enable-shared

The --enable-optimizations flag optimizes the Python binary, and --enable-shared builds shared libraries. If you want pip alongside Python, add --with-ensurepip=install.

Now, compile the source code:

make

For faster compilation on multi-core systems, use the -j flag. For instance, to use 5 CPU cores:

make -j 5

Once the compilation is completed, install Python. Use the make altinstall command to avoid overwriting the system’s default Python:

sudo make altinstall

Configure the dynamic linker run-time bindings:

sudo ldconfig /usr/local/share/python3.9

Lastly, check your Python 3.9 installation:

python3.9 --version

You should see output indicating the installed Python version, similar to:

Python 3.9.17

Create a Virtual Environment with Python 3.9 on Debian 12, 11 or 10

Step 1: Create a Test Project Directory on Debian

Start by making a directory for your Python project and setting up the virtual environment inside it. Use these commands to make a directory called test_app and go into it:

mkdir ~/test_app
cd ~/test_app

Step 2: Set Up a Virtual Environment

Now that you’re in the project directory, it’s time to create the virtual environment. We’ll use Python’s venv module, which has been part of Python since version 3.3.

Create a virtual environment called test_app_venv with this command:

python3.9 -m venv test_app_venv

Here, -m venv signifies the utilization of the venv module. test_app_venv is designated as the virtual environment’s name, though you can confer any name that aligns with your project.

Step 3: Activate the Virtual Environment

With the virtual environment created, you need to activate it. When activated, any Python commands and installations will only affect this environment.

Activate the virtual environment with this command:

source test_app_venv/bin/activate

When the virtual environment is active, you’ll see its name at the beginning of the terminal prompt:

(test_app_venv) root@debian:~/test_app# 

This shows you’re working inside the test_app_venv environment. Any Python packages you install will only be available in this environment.

Step 4: Deactivate the Virtual Environment

When you’re done working in the virtual environment, deactivate it to return to the system-wide Python environment. Do this by entering:

deactivate

After deactivation, the name of the virtual environment will disappear from the terminal prompt, showing you’ve left the virtual environment.

Install Pip with Python 3.9 on Debian 12, 11, or 10

In this section, you’ll learn how to install Pip, Python’s package manager, and Python 3.9. Pip makes it easier for Python developers to install and manage Python libraries and packages.

Step 1: Validating the Installation of Pip

Check if Python 3.9 already has Pip installed by using the command:

python3.9 -m pip --version

If the command displays the Pip version, you already have it installed. Otherwise, follow the next steps to install Pip.

You can just use python instead of python3.9 if you just have this version installed and depending on your setup.

Step 2: Download the Pip Installation Script on Debian

To install Pip with Python 3.9, you need the get-pip.py script. Use the following command to download this script:

wget https://bootstrap.pypa.io/get-pip.py

This command saves the get-pip.py script in your current directory.

Step 3: Integrating Pip with Python 3.9

Now, use the downloaded script to install Pip by running:

python3.9 get-pip.py

This command tells Python 3.9 to run the script and install Pip.

Step 4: Upgrading Pip to the Latest Version

It’s a good idea to ensure you’re using the latest version of Pip. To upgrade Pip, use the command:

python3.9 -m pip install --upgrade pip

This command upgrades Pip to the latest available version.

Step 5: Confirming the Pip Installation on Debian

After installation and upgrade, ensure that Pip works as expected. Check the installed version with:

python3.9 -m pip --version

The command should display the latest Pip version.

Conclusion

In this guide, we walked through installing Python 3.9 on a Debian Linux system. First, we updated the package list, then downloaded and installed Python 3.9 from the official source. We also discussed setting up a virtual environment to isolate project dependencies and avoid conflicts with system libraries. Additionally, we touched on using Pip, Python’s package manager, to manage libraries and packages.

Regularly checking for updates to Python and Pip is essential. Doing so ensures you use the latest and most secure versions, maintaining a strong and safe Python development environment.