How can I ensure my Python packages are installed in Python 3.10 instead of /Library/Python 3.8?

Question

I have successfully installed Python 3.10. I want to install packages. Pandas, BeautifulSoup4, and requests.

I tried to import NumPy but IDE says it doesn't have the NumPy module.

I searched for it in directories and it turned out NumPy is in the 3.8 version.

I used the command on the terminal:

sudo python3 -m pip install Pandas

Which installed it successfully.

But the package files are installed in Python 3.8.

Now I have the following Directories:

• /Library/Python 3.8
• /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions 3.10
• /Applications/Python 3.10
• /usr/local/bin 3.10

In /Library/Python there is only 2.7 and 3.8 versions

In following directories version is 3.10:

• /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions 3.10
• /Applications/Python 3.10
• /usr/local/bin 3.10

/usr/local/bin

/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions

/Applications/Python

What will happen if i remove 3.8 or can i update it to 3.10?

Answer 1

Is better to use a virtual environment and install in it python 3.10, removing Python 3.8 can may some problems, so avoid removing it, and if you are open to using different tools, I advise you to use Jupyter Notebook.

Answer 2

Don't follow this (go to EDIT instead):

I found my answer here: https://stackoverflow.com/a/25123329/13377578

Just had to specify the version of Python I want to install the package in.

sudo python3.10 -m pip install Pandas

Now it works. Thanks.

EDIT:

Thanks for the comments below. I am new to Python and didn't know what environments were.

I followed this simple guide.

I made an environment for my project (my system-level python is now safe from messing up) and now everything works.

Create Environment:

cd python-projects

Python3.10 - m venv Venv_Name

source pit-ds/bin/activate

Installing Packages:

pip list

pip install Pandas

pip install BeautifulSoup4

pip install Requests

Run IDLE within Virtual Environment:

python -m idlelib.idle

Deactivating Environment:

deactivate