When learning Python, you will work with different types of data, such as numbers, text, decimal values, and Boolean values. Python provides several built-in functions to help you work with these data types. One of the most useful functions is the type() function . The type() function tells you the data type of a value or variable. It helps you understand what kind of data Python is working with and can make debugging your programs easier. For example, consider these variables: age = 20 price = 99.50 name = "Rahul" is_student = True Although all four variables store data, their data types are different. Python allows us to check these types using type() . Let's understand how it works with simple examples. 1. What Is the type() Function in Python? The type() function is a built-in Python function that returns information about the type of an object. In beginner-level programming, you can use it to check whether a value is an integer, a floating-point number, a string,...
If you are beginning to learn Python, you may come across terms such as Python 2, Python 3, Python 3.10, Python 3.11, Python 3.12, and other version numbers.
At first, these numbers can be confusing.
You may wonder:
What is a Python version?
Why does Python have different versions?
What happened to Python 2?
What is Python 3?
Which version should a beginner learn?
In this article, we will understand Python versions in simple language.
This article is part of our Python with AI series and covers the syllabus topic Python Versions.
What Is a Python Version?
A Python version identifies a particular release of the Python programming language.
As Python develops, new versions are released to introduce:
New features
Improvements
Bug fixes
Security updates
Performance improvements
Changes to existing functionality
For example:
Python 3.9
Python 3.10
Python 3.11
Python 3.12
Python 3.13
These are different releases within the Python 3 family.
Understanding Python Version Numbers
A version number can look like:
Python 3.12.5
It can be understood as:
3 . 12 . 5
│ │ │
│ │ └── Patch level
│ └─────────── Minor version
└────────────────── Major version
The exact versioning and release practices can vary over time, but this structure gives beginners a useful way to understand version numbers.
For example:
Python 3.12.5
3→ Major version12→ Minor version5→ Patch release
Why Does Python Have Different Versions?
Programming languages are continuously developed.
When developers improve Python, they may introduce:
New programming features
Better performance
Improved error messages
Security fixes
New modules
Improvements to existing modules
Bug fixes
Therefore, Python does not remain unchanged.
The development process can be represented as:
Existing Python
↓
Improvements
↓
New Features
↓
Bug Fixes
↓
Testing
↓
New Python Release
Python 2
Before Python 3 became the standard modern version, Python 2 was widely used.
Python 2 was an important stage in Python's development and was used for many years by developers and organizations.
One of the major Python 2 releases was:
Python 2.7
Python 2.7 became particularly important because it was the final major Python 2 release.
However, Python 2 eventually reached its end of life on January 1, 2020.
This means Python 2 no longer receives normal official support and security updates from the Python project.
Python 3
Python 3 was introduced as the next major version of Python.
The first Python 3 release appeared in 2008.
Python 3 introduced changes that were not fully compatible with Python 2.
This means that some Python 2 programs cannot simply be run with Python 3 without modification.
Over time, Python 3 became the modern Python standard.
Today, when someone says they are learning Python, they normally mean Python 3.
Why Was Python 3 Introduced?
Python 3 was created to improve the language and clean up some older design decisions.
Some changes affected:
Text handling
Syntax
Standard library organization
Numeric behavior
Language consistency
Because some changes were incompatible with Python 2, the transition from Python 2 to Python 3 took many years.
This is why Python 2 and Python 3 existed alongside each other for a long period.
Python 2 vs Python 3
Let's look at a simple example.
Python 2
print "Hello World"
Python 3
print("Hello World")
In Python 3, print() is a function.
This is one of the simple differences beginners may notice.
Another Difference: Division
Python 2 and Python 3 also differ in how certain expressions behave.
For example, consider:
5 / 2
In Python 3, the result is:
2.5
This is an example of how Python 3 made certain language behaviors more consistent with modern expectations.
Text and Strings
Python 3 also made important changes to the way text and Unicode are handled.
Modern applications often need to work with many languages and character sets.
For example:
message = "Hello"
Python 3 provides Unicode text handling as a standard part of the language.
This is important when applications need to process international text.
Python 2 Reached End of Life
Python 2 officially reached the end of its supported life on:
January 1, 2020
After that date, the Python project stopped providing normal official support and security updates for Python 2.
Therefore, new Python learners should learn Python 3 rather than Python 2.
Python 3 Has Many Releases
Python 3 is not one single version.
There are many releases within Python 3.
For example:
Python 3.8
Python 3.9
Python 3.10
Python 3.11
Python 3.12
Python 3.13
Newer releases generally introduce improvements and new features.
This is similar to how operating systems and other software products receive new versions.
Major Version vs Minor Version
Let's understand this with an example:
Python 3.12
Here:
3is the major version.12identifies the minor version within Python 3.
A new Python 3.x release may introduce language improvements and new features while remaining part of the Python 3 family.
What Is a Patch Release?
You may also see a version such as:
Python 3.12.4
The final number represents a patch release.
Patch releases generally focus on things such as:
Bug fixes
Security fixes
Stability improvements
For example:
3.12.1
3.12.2
3.12.3
3.12.4
These are patch releases within the Python 3.12 series.
Which Python Version Should Beginners Learn?
For a beginner starting Python today, the important point is:
Learn a currently supported Python 3 release.
There is no reason for a new learner to begin a new project using Python 2.
When installing Python, choose a current supported Python 3 release that is compatible with the libraries and tools you plan to use.
This is particularly important for our Python with AI journey because modern AI, Machine Learning, Data Science, and development tools are built around current Python 3 environments.
How to Check Your Python Version
Once Python is installed, you can check the installed version from the terminal.
On Windows, macOS, or Linux, you can commonly use:
python --version
You may also see:
Python 3.x.x
On some systems, especially where multiple Python versions are installed, you may use:
python3 --version
For example:
Python 3.12.4
The exact version displayed depends on what is installed on your computer.
Checking the Version from Python Code
You can also check the Python version from inside a Python program.
For example:
import sys
print(sys.version)
Python provides information about the interpreter through the sys module.
This can be useful when debugging a program or checking the environment in which code is running.
Why Does the Python Version Matter?
The Python version can matter because different versions may have different:
Features
Syntax behavior
Standard-library functionality
Performance characteristics
Compatibility requirements
Third-party packages can also have specific Python-version requirements.
For example, when installing a library, you may sometimes see information such as:
Requires Python 3.x or newer
Therefore, knowing your Python version is an important part of working with Python.
Python Version and Libraries
Imagine you are working on an AI project.
You install:
Python
↓
NumPy
↓
Pandas
↓
Machine Learning Library
↓
AI Application
Each library needs to work correctly with your Python environment.
This is why developers sometimes check:
Python Version
Library Version
Operating System
Dependencies
before starting a project.
Python Version vs Library Version
These two concepts are different.
Python version
The version of the Python programming language/interpreter you are using.
Example:
Python 3.12
Library version
The version of a package installed in your Python environment.
Example:
SomeLibrary 2.x
So you could have:
Python 3.12
+
Pandas version X
+
NumPy version Y
Understanding this difference becomes important when you start working on larger Python projects.
Why Developers Sometimes Use Different Python Versions
A developer may work on multiple projects.
For example:
Project A → Python 3.x
Project B → Python 3.y
Why?
Because an older project may depend on particular versions of Python or certain packages.
Developers can use tools such as virtual environments to keep project dependencies separate.
We will study Python environments and related concepts later in the series.
Python Versions and Artificial Intelligence
Python version management becomes particularly important in AI and Machine Learning projects.
An AI project may depend on many packages:
Python
↓
NumPy
↓
Pandas
↓
Machine Learning Framework
↓
Deep Learning Framework
↓
AI Application
If one package is incompatible with the Python version being used, the project may produce installation or runtime problems.
Therefore, AI developers often pay attention to:
Python version
Package versions
Dependencies
Virtual environments
These concepts will become more important as we move toward Machine Learning and AI.
Simple Timeline of Python Versions
Here is a simplified timeline:
Python 1.x
↓
Python 2.x
↓
Python 3.0
↓
Python 3.x releases
↓
Current supported Python 3 releases
Important milestones include:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1991 | First public Python release |
| 1994 | Python 1.0 |
| 2000 | Python 2.0 |
| 2008 | Python 3.0 |
| 2020 | Python 2 officially reached end of life |
Python 2 vs Python 3: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Python 2 | Python 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Status | End of life | Modern Python family |
| First major release | 2000 | 2008 |
print | Statement syntax | Function syntax |
| Text handling | Older design | Modern Unicode text handling |
| New projects | Not recommended | Recommended |
| Modern AI ecosystem | Not the target | Widely used |
The purpose of this comparison is to understand the transition from Python 2 to Python 3, not to encourage using Python 2.
A Common Beginner Question
"If Python 3 exists, why do I sometimes see Python 2 code online?"
There are many old tutorials, books, videos, GitHub projects, and programming examples that were created when Python 2 was still supported.
You may therefore encounter code such as:
print "Hello"
If you are learning modern Python, do not assume that every old Python example is valid Python 3 code.
Modern Python learning should focus on Python 3.
How to Avoid Python Version Problems
As a beginner, follow a few simple habits:
1. Check your Python version
Use:
python --version
2. Use Python 3
Do not start new projects with Python 2.
3. Check library compatibility
Before installing an important package, check which Python versions it supports.
4. Use virtual environments
Virtual environments help keep project dependencies separated.
5. Keep your project requirements documented
For larger projects, developers often record package and environment requirements so that the project can be reproduced later.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the latest Python version?
Python releases change over time, so the exact latest version should be checked from the official Python release information rather than relying on an old article.
For learning, the important point is to use a currently supported Python 3 release.
2. Is Python 2 still used?
You may encounter Python 2 in old or legacy systems, but Python 2 officially reached end of life on January 1, 2020.
3. Should beginners learn Python 2?
No. Beginners learning Python today should focus on Python 3.
4. What is Python 3?
Python 3 is the modern major version family of the Python programming language.
5. How can I check my Python version?
Use:
python --version
or, on systems where Python 3 is invoked separately:
python3 --version
6. Are Python 3.10 and Python 3.12 the same?
They are both Python 3 releases, but they are different versions with differences in features, performance, and compatibility.
7. Does the Python version matter for AI?
Yes. AI and Machine Learning packages can have specific Python-version and dependency requirements.
Key Takeaways
After completing this article, you should understand:
Python has different versions because the language continues to evolve.
Python 2 was an older major version.
Python 3 was introduced in 2008.
Python 2 reached end of life on January 1, 2020.
Python 3 is the modern Python family.
Python 3 has many releases such as Python 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, and others.
Patch releases generally provide fixes and improvements.
You can check your Python version using
python --version.Python version compatibility matters when installing libraries.
AI and Machine Learning projects often depend on compatible Python and package versions.
New learners should focus on a currently supported Python 3 release.
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