How to Switch from Python 3 to Python 2 with Online Jupyter Notebooks

Jupyter Notebook is a powerful tool for data scientists and software developers who want to explore, analyze, and visualize data in an interactive environment. One of the key features of Jupyter Notebook is its ability to support multiple programming languages, including Python, R, and Julia. However, sometimes you may need to switch between different versions of a programming language, such as Python 3 and Python 2. In this blog post, we will show you how to switch from Python 3 to Python 2 in Jupyter Notebook online.

Why Switch from Python 3 to Python 2?

Python 3 and Python 2 are two different versions of the Python programming language, with some significant differences between them. Python 3 is the latest version of Python, with improved syntax, better support for Unicode, and enhanced security features. However, some legacy applications and libraries still rely on Python 2, and some data scientists and developers may prefer to use Python 2 for certain projects or tasks.

Switching from Python 3 to Python 2 in Jupyter Notebook online can be useful if you need to:

1. Test your code in different Python versions
2. Use legacy libraries or applications that require Python 2
3. Compare the performance of your code in different Python versions
4. Work with a team that uses different Python versions

How to Switch from Python 3 to Python 2 in Jupyter Notebook Online

To switch from Python 3 to Python 2 in Jupyter Notebook online, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Create a new Python 2 notebook

First, you need to create a new Python 2 notebook in Jupyter Notebook online. To do this, click on the “New” button on the top right corner of the Jupyter Notebook dashboard, and select “Python 2” from the dropdown menu.

Step 2: Install the kernel

Once you have created a new Python 2 notebook, you need to install the Python 2 kernel. To do this, open a new terminal window in Jupyter Notebook by clicking on “New” and selecting “Terminal” from the dropdown menu. Then, type the following command in the terminal window:

python2 -m pip install ipykernel

This command will install the Python 2 kernel for Jupyter Notebook.

Step 3: Switch the kernel

After you have installed the Python 2 kernel, you need to switch the kernel for the Python 2 notebook. To do this, click on the “Kernel” menu on the top of the notebook page, and select “Change kernel” from the dropdown menu. Then, select the “Python [conda env:python2]” option from the list of available kernels.

Step 4: Test your code

Once you have switched the kernel to Python 2, you can test your code to make sure it works correctly. You can write Python 2 code in the notebook cells and run them as you would in a regular Python notebook. You can also import Python 2 libraries and modules, and use them in your code.

Step 5: Switch back to Python 3

After you have finished working with Python 2, you can switch back to Python 3 by selecting the “Python [conda env:python3]” option from the “Kernel” menu. This will switch the kernel back to Python 3 and allow you to continue working with Python 3 code.

Conclusion

Switching from Python 3 to Python 2 in Jupyter Notebook online is a simple and straightforward process that can be useful for data scientists and software developers who need to work with different Python versions. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can easily create a Python 2 notebook, install the Python 2 kernel, switch the kernel, and test your code. With Jupyter Notebook, you can explore and analyze your data in a flexible and interactive environment, regardless of the Python version you are using.