Installing matplotlib on Ubuntu 14.04 after installing Python 3 with pyenv

Question

I am using Ubuntu 14.04 with Python 2.7.6. I have installed matplotlib for Python 2. Now, I just installed Python 3.4.2 using pyenv install 3.4.2. I then ran pip install matplotlib to install matplotlib for Python 3. I later discovered the package python3-matplotlib for Ubuntu 14.04. I wonder: should I have used sudo apt-get install python3-matplotlib instead? What is the preferred way of installing matplotlib for Python 3 side-by- side with the Python 2 matplotlib?

Solution

I dont have Ubuntu system right now with me. but still I can help you I think.

open your terminal and type as

apt-cache search python3-matplotlib

If you find it like its available then you can install it from

sudo apt-get install python3-matplotlib

that is the most preferred way.

Now how to use matplotlib with python 3. I have posted a question also in here about how to use python2 and python3 side by side.

Simple , use python3 <filename.py> while executing your program with python3-matplotlib

and similarly if you use python2 then it will load python 2.

hope that helps.

Comments

[Håkon Hægland]

Thanks, the package is available. Should I try uninstall the pip installation, that is: pip uninstall matplotlib, and then run sudo apt-get install python3-matplotlib?

[mx7]

No need, you can continue.

[Håkon Hægland]

Regarding how to run it: Or I could run pyenv global 3.4.2 and then just python <filename.py>?

[mx7]

1st one is okay but 2nd one you have to use python3 <filename.py> so it load python3 modules

[mx7]

some libraries may available in both with same behavior but not very time. Good luck.

[gravity]

Additional information, such as what commands to run in Terminal, or through the GUI, would be very useful for the OP to understand what needs to be done.