Python --version does not update

Question

I upgraded and installed latest Python version 3.8.1.

Problem is, when I type

python --version

on terminal I get Python 2.7.16, when I type

python3 --version

I get Python 3.8.1. But if I try to

pip install -U selenium

I get a message:

"DEPRECATION: Python 2.7 reached the end of its life on January 1st, 2020. Please upgrade your Python as Python 2.7 is no longer maintained. A future version of pip will drop support for Python 2.7. More details about Python 2 support in pip, can be found at https://pip.pypa.io/en/latest/development/release-process/#python-2-support"

I dont understand why is it running on Python 2.7

Answer 1

Never call the pip, pip3, or pipX.Y scripts directly unless you really understand what the implications are.

Instead always prefer calling the exact Python interpreter you are targeting and tell it to run pip's executable module:

• path/to/my/pythonX.Y -m pip
• path/to/my/python -m pip
• path/to/venv/bin/python -m pip
• pythonX.Y -m pip
• python3 -m pip
• python -m pip

I recommend reading Brett Cannon's article "Why you should use python -m pip".