By default, CentOS 6 comes with Python 2.6. This manual is only for those, who want a newer version of the software.

You can check which version is currently installed by opening the terminal and executing the command python –version.

How to install Python on CentOS 6

Execution of each of these commands can take up to several minutes.

1. Update all packages with

   yum update

2. Install zlib-devel module:

   yum install zlib-devel

3. Install openssl-devel module:

   yum install openssl-devel

4. Check the compiler version:

   gcc –v

5. If you need to, install the compiler:

   yum install gcc

6. Download Python from the official source:

   cd /tmp/
   wget https://www.python.org/ftp/python/2.7.9/Python-2.7.9.tgz

7. Unpack it and go to the unpacked folder:

   tar xfp Python-2.7.9.tgz

   cd Python-2.7.9

8. Check the dependencies and execute makefile:

   ./configure
   cat Makefile | grep prefix
   ./configure -h | grep prefix

9. Create the installation package:

   make

10. Install it:

    make install

After you are done, Python will be updated to the latest version.