Python in Terminal

Python in Terminal#

Section Objectives:
- Understand how Python works in the terminal.
- Upgrade your Python version in the terminal.

Before we dive into fancy tools like VS Code and Anaconda, let’s start with the basics: running Python from your terminal or command prompt.

1. Install Python#

If you don’t have Python yet, follow these steps:

Go to the official website: https://www.python.org/downloads [Python Software Foundation, 2025].

Download the latest stable version (e.g., Python 3.13.2).

On Windows, make sure you check the box that says:

✅ “Add Python to PATH”

Some operating systems, like Linux or macOS, come with a preinstalled version of Python. If you already have Python installed, skip to step 3.

2. Open Your Terminal#

On Windows: Open the Command Prompt or Anaconda Prompt

On Mac: Open the Terminal app (command key (⌘) + space bar).

On Linux: Open your default terminal (ctrl + alt + T).

3. Check your Python version#

python --version

Note

Depending on your operating system and how Python is installed, this might not work. In this case, use “python3” instead of “python”.

4. Using the Python interpreter (REPL)#

You can now run Python in interactive mode via your terminal by typing python (or python3). You should see something like “Python 3.13.2….” The >>> sign indicates that the interpreter is ready to accept input.

You can run any simple code to test the REPL. Notice how it immediately shows you the output (the lines without >>>):

python_repl

To quit, simply type:

exit()

Note

You can also quit by using ctrl+D.

5. Upgrading your Python version#

Upgrading your Python version differs across operating systems.

Manually#

OS

Manual Upgrade Strategy

Replaces System Python?

Windows

Download .exe from python.org and install

✅ (if you choose upgrade)

macOS

Build from source via curl + make

❌ (safe, manual version install)

Linux

Build from source via wget + make

❌ (safe, doesn’t replace system Python)

via Package Manager#

OS

Tool Example

Upgrade Strategy with Tools

Notes

Windows

Winget

winget upgrade --id Python.Python.3

Preinstalled on Win11

macOS

Homebrew

brew upgrade python

Linux

APT

sudo apt upgrade python3

Note

You can run Linux commands in Windows using WSL [Microsoft, 2025].

References:

[Mic25]

Microsoft. Windows subsystem for linux. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/about, 2025.

[PythonSFoundation25]

Python Software Foundation. Beginner's guide to python. https://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide, 2025.

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