How to Install Pip on CentOS 8

August 3, 2020

Introduction

Pip is a package manager for the Python programming language. Pip makes it easier to install plugins and other software packages for Python.

There are two versions – the most recent version is for Python 3, and there is a legacy version for the older Python 2.

This guide will show you how to install Pip for Python 2 and Python 3 on CentOS 8.

tutorial on how to install Pip package-management system on CentOS 8

Prerequisites

  • A system with CentOS 8 installed
  • A user account with sudo or root privileges
  • Access to a command line or terminal window (Activities > Search > Terminal)

Installing Pip for Python 3

Python 3 is the most recent, stable, long-term supported version of Python. If you don’t specifically need Python 2 for compatibility with older applications, it’s recommended to use Python 3.

Step 1: Update System Repositories

To update system repositories, open a terminal window and enter the following command:

sudo yum update

This will refresh the local list of available software packages. If yum update hasn’t been run recently, it may take a few minutes to install updates.

Note: For some updates, such as security keys, you may be prompted to confirm the installation with y > Enter.

Step 2: Install Python 3

Some newer versions of CentOS 8 include Python 3 by default. If the system already has Python 3 installed, skip this step.

To install Python 3, open a terminal window and enter the command:

sudo yum –y install python3

Step 3: Install Pip for Python 3

To install Pip for Python 3 open the terminal window, enter the following:

sudo yum –y install python3-pip
Install Pip for Python 3 on CentOS 8.

Note: Your system may already have Python3-pip installed. If so, the output will report that there is nothing to do.

Step 4: Confirm Pip is Installed

One way to test whether an application is installed is by checking its version number. To check the version of Pip 3, enter:

pip3 –V

The output displays the pip3 version installed on your system.

pip 9.0.3 successfully installed

Note: Make sure to use a capital –V. A lower-case –v will display an error and list of commands.

Installing Pip for Python 2

CentOS 8 allows you to install multiple versions of Python at the same time. You can install Python 2 in parallel to an existing Python 3 installation.

Step 1: Update Repositories

If you updated the repositories in the previous section, skip to the next step.

Update repositories with the command:

sudo yum update

Note: Some packages, such as security updates, will prompt you to confirm the installation by typing y and hitting Enter.

Step 2: Install Pip 2

To install Pip2, open the terminal window, enter the command:

sudo yum –y install python2-pip
Install Pip for Python 2 on CentOS 8

Note: If Python 2 isn’t installed, this step will install it. Python 2 is a dependency for the pip2 package.

Step 3: Verify the Installation

Check the version of pip2 to verify that it is installed on your Centos 8 system:

pip2 –V

The system should display the version of pip2.

Check Pip 2 version on CentOS 8

Note: If you’re concerned that Python 2 may not have been installed, verify the installation by entering sudo yum –y install python2. The system should report nothing to do.

Conclusion

You have installed Pip for Python 2 and Python 3 on your CentOS 8 system. Use Pip to manage the most popular Python packages easily.

Get started with a basic script like getting the current time and date in Python.

Was this article helpful?
YesNo
Marko Aleksic
Marko Aleksić is a Technical Writer at phoenixNAP. His innate curiosity regarding all things IT, combined with over a decade long background in writing, teaching and working in IT-related fields, led him to technical writing, where he has an opportunity to employ his skills and make technology less daunting to everyone.
Next you should read
How To Install PIP to Manage Python Packages On Windows
November 30, 2023

PIP for Python is a utility to manage PyPI package installations from the command line. This tutorial will...
Read more
How to Install Pip on Ubuntu 18.04
February 20, 2019

Pip is a software utility that downloads packages from PyPI - the Python Package Index. Using PIP is like...
Read more
How to Install Python 3 on Ubuntu 18.04 or 20.04
December 14, 2023

Python is a popular programming language used to write scripts for operating systems, but also web...
Read more
Install Python on CentOS 8
January 20, 2020

This tutorial provides instructions on installing Python 3 and Python 2 on CentOS 8 with guidance on how to...
Read more