python version

Is there any reason we are using Python 3.7 over Python 3.6? My linux Mint 19 is a little outdated I know. Currently there is only 3.6 I believe for it and not a 3.7 causing me to edit configure.ac and change the version to 3.6 from 3.7. Everything seems to work well with this version of python.

3.7 is being used because that is the version that Debian Buster uses. Buster is the distro that LinuxCNC builds with and also the version on the official LinuxCNC ISO.
There is some work being done to allow different python versions.

crowloy wrote:

Is there any reason we are using Python 3.7 over Python 3.6? My linux Mint 19 is a little outdated I know. Currently there is only 3.6 I believe for it and not a 3.7 causing me to edit configure.ac and change the version to 3.6 from 3.7. Everything seems to work well with this version of python.

Yes I gave up Mint becasue its so far behind in kernel versions etc. I am running Debian Bullseye which is Python 3.9.

It has the preempt_Rt kernel in its repositories so its pretty easy to get going but you need to build a RIP version.

Don't use Bullseye or equivalent yet if you want Buildbot packages. Wait until the python versioning is finished. Buster and its equivalents have the preempt_rt kernel as well.

crowloy wrote:

Is there any reason we are using Python 3.7 over Python 3.6? My linux Mint 19 is a little outdated I know. Currently there is only 3.6 I believe for it and not a 3.7 causing me to edit configure.ac and change the version to 3.6 from 3.7. Everything seems to work well with this version of python.
 

Just what the devs working on the python3 updates targeted because they target Debian.
Mint 19 can be made to work but the libraries are getting pretty old. It depends also on what screen you are using.

cmorley wrote:

Mint 19 can be made to work but the libraries are getting pretty old. It depends also on what screen you are using.

The inability to get Python 3 running happily on Mint was the reason why I went to Bullseye. I don't mind compiling Linuxcnc.