Difference between python --version and python -v. These two commands have completely different purposes:
python --version
- Shows the Python interpreter's version number
- Example output:
Python 3.9.7 - This is the standard way to check which version of Python you're running
- It's equivalent to
python -V(capital V)
python -v
- Activates verbose mode, showing detailed information about module imports and initialization
- Produces extensive output about every module being loaded as Python starts up
- Used primarily for debugging import and initialization issues
- The output is much longer and more technical
Example:
If you run python -v even with a simple script, you'll see many lines like:
# installing zipimport hook
import zipimport # builtin
# installed zipimport hook
import encodings # directory /usr/lib/python3.9/encodings
...
# many more import statements
...
If you just need to check your Python version, use python --version or python -V.
