Is there a python equivalent of Ruby's 'rvm'?

Question

Q: Do we have anything functionally equivalent in Python to the Ruby version manager 'rvm'?

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(RVM lets you easily switch completely between different versions of the ruby interpreter and different sets of gems (modules). Everything concerning download-build-install-switch of interpreter(-s) and gems gets taken care of by invoking rvm. It is all run under your regular user account.)

Answer 1

Yes, it is virtualenv along with virtualenvwrapper.

update: you may install both at once with virtualenv burrito.

Update: the correct answer is now probably pyenv.

For scientific computing, the corresponding tool is anaconda.

Answer 2

Pythonbrew is no longer under development. The former maintainer suggests to use "PyEnv" instead (see below)".

pythonbrew has come! http://github.com/utahta/pythonbrew

pyenv: https://github.com/yyuu/pyenv

Answer 3

I created pyenv which is a fork of Ruby's rbenv and modified for Python. Like pythonz, pyenv also supports Stackless, PyPy, and Jython.

Answer 4

Following up on hytdsh's answer (nearly two years later)...

pythonz a fork of pythonbrew that adds support for Stackless, PyPy, and Jython.

If you like how rvm handles different interpreters, it may worth taking a look at pythonz. If you're strictly working with CPython, the difference is less significant.

Answer 5

Optionally, if you're using Macports you can use python_select. Install python_select with:

$ sudo port install python_select

Assuming python 2.6 and 2.5 have bee installed via Macports you can switch pythons like so:

$ sudo python_select python25
=> Selecting version "python25" for python
$ python --version
=> 2.5.5
$ sudo python_select python26
=> Selecting version "python26" for python
$ python --version
=> 2.6.6