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<h1>Python 2 or 3?</h1>

<p>The Python programming language is currently in the midst of a long-term

transition from version 2 to version 3. New programmers typically have many

questions about which version they should learn. It's confusing to hear

that Python 3, which was originally released in 2008, is still not the default

installation on many operating systems.</p>

<p>Here's the good news: you can't go wrong starting with either version. While

there are differences in unicode and syntax, for the most part if you

start with Python 2 and then learn Python 3 you won't be starting from

scratch. Likewise, you'll be able to read and write Python 2 code if you

started with Python 3.</p>

<p>My personal recommendation for new programmers as of right now is to start

with Python 3. There are enough <a href="/best-python-resources.html">great resources</a>

out there that teach version 3 from the ground up.</p>

<p>However, if you are interested in DevOps-type work with

<a href="/configuration-management.html">configuration management tools</a> such as

Ansible or Fabric, then you'll have to stick to Python 2 because they have

yet to upgrade to support Python 3. If you know there are libraries you must

use in a project, check the

<a href="https://python3wos.appspot.com/">Python Walls of Superpowers</a>. If you're

using Django, there is also a wall specifically for

<a href="http://djangowos.com/">Python 3 compatibility of popular Django packages</a>.</p>

<h3>Python 2 to 3 resources</h3>

<ul>

<li>

<p>Wnat to know all of the advantages and what's changed in Python 3

compared to Python 2? There's

<a href="https://docs.python.org/3/whatsnew/index.html">an official guide to Python 3 changes</a>

you'll want to read.</p>

</li>

<li>

<p>The official

<a href="https://wiki.python.org/moin/PortingToPy3k/">porting code to Python 3</a>

page links to resources on porting Python code as well as underlying C

implementations. There is also a

<a href="https://wiki.python.org/moin/PortingToPy3k/BilingualQuickRef">quick reference for writting code with Python 2 and 3 compatibility</a>.</p>

</li>

<li>

<p><a href="http://nothingbutsnark.svbtle.com/porting-to-python-3-is-like-eating-your-vegetables">Porting to Python 3 is like eating your vegetables</a>

explains that there are treats in Python 3 that are worth porting for and

has some tips on making the transition easier.</p>

</li>

<li>

<p><a href="http://ptgmedia.pearsoncmg.com/imprint_downloads/informit/promotions/python/python2python3.pdf">Moving from Python 2 to Python 3</a>

is a PDF cheatsheet for porting your Python code.</p>

</li>

<li>

<p><a href="https://godjango.com/96-django-and-python-3-how-to-setup-pyenv-for-multiple-pythons/">Django and Python 3 How to Setup pyenv for Multiple Pythons</a>

is a screencast showing how to run both Python 2 and 3 for different

projects using pyenv.</p>

</li>

<li>

<p><a href="http://blog.scrapinghub.com/2015/08/19/scrapy-on-the-road-to-python-3-support/">Scrapy on the road to Python 3 support</a>

explains from the perspective of a widely used Python project what their

plan is for supporting Python 3 and why it has taken so long to make it

happen.</p>

</li>

</ul>

<h3>What's next now that you know about Python versions?</h3>

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<a href="/introduction.html" class="list-group-item smaller-item " style='font-family: "Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;'>Introduction</a>

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<a href="/why-use-python.html" class="list-group-item smaller-item " style='font-family: "Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;'>Why Use Python?</a>

<a href="/python-2-or-3.html" class="list-group-item smaller-item active" style='font-family: "Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;'>Python 2 or 3?</a>

<a href="/enterprise-python.html" class="list-group-item smaller-item " style='font-family: "Helvetica Neue",sans-serif;'>Enterprise Python</a>

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