How do I check what version of Python is running my script?

Python is being updated regularly with new features and support. Starting from 1994 to the current release, there have been lots of updates in Python versions.

Using Python standard libraries like sys or platform modules, we can get the version information of Python that is actually running on our script.

In general, the Python version is displayed automatically on the console immediately after starting the interpreter from the command line ?

Python 3.10.7 (tags/v3.10.7:6cc6b13, Sep  5 2022, 14:08:36) [MSC v.1933 64 bit (AMD64)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license()" for more information.

Using the sys.version Attribute

The sys module provides access to variables and functions that interact with the Python interpreter. The version attribute contains detailed version information ?

import sys
print(sys.version)

3.10.7 (tags/v3.10.7:6cc6b13, Sep  5 2022, 14:08:36) [MSC v.1933 64 bit (AMD64)]

The version attribute returns a string containing the version number, build information, and compiler details.

Using the sys.version_info Attribute

The version_info attribute provides structured version information as a named tuple ?

import sys
print(sys.version_info)

sys.version_info(major=3, minor=10, micro=7, releaselevel='final', serial=0)

Accessing Individual Components

You can access specific version components by name ?

import sys

info = sys.version_info
print(f"Major: {info.major}")
print(f"Minor: {info.minor}")
print(f"Micro: {info.micro}")

Major: 3
Minor: 10
Micro: 7

Using platform.python_version()

The platform module provides a clean method to get just the version string ?

import platform
print(platform.python_version())

3.10.7

This method returns a string in 'major.minor.patchlevel' format, which is cleaner than sys.version.

Using platform.python_version_tuple()

For structured access to version components as strings, use python_version_tuple() ?

import platform

version_tuple = platform.python_version_tuple()
print(version_tuple)
print(f"Type: {type(version_tuple)}")

('3', '10', '7')
<class 'tuple'>

Comparison of Methods

Conclusion

Use sys.version_info for version comparison logic, platform.python_version() for clean version display, and sys.version when you need complete build information.