Python3.9 is closing; can users update or it would be maintained?

Support
1

Hi community.

I’m using the AlmaLinux9.6.
It uses python3.9 as the system python, which would be unsupported in October 2025 1.

Is there a way to update the system python to 2.12 or later? Or, will AlmaLinux community continue supporting the python until the 9.x is end?

Sorry if there are similar posts.

2

Not quite. Enterprise Linux uses backporting. Red Hat explains that in What is backporting and how does it affect Red Hat Enterprise Linux? - Red Hat Customer Portal

RHEL 9 and AlmaLinux 9 do not use “Python 3.9”. They do use Python that Red Hat has forked from “Python 3.9” for RHEL 9 and which (branch) Red Hat will continue to support (with backported fixes, if necessary) until 2032.

In other words, the system python in AlmaLinux 9 will be supported until the end of 9.x.

3

Thanks for the reply. Your point is very clear.

RHEL 9 and AlmaLinux 9 do not use “Python 3.9”. They do use Python that Red Hat has forked from “Python 3.9” for RHEL 9 and which (branch) Red Hat will continue to support (with backported fixes, if necessary) until 2032.

In other words, the system python in AlmaLinux 9 will be supported until the end of 9.x.

That is a great news. I can keep using AlmaLinux.

To clarify, is it written somewhere on website, wikipage or manual? The policy is very good and everyone can have positive feeling.

4

Sorry for posting several times.
I understood that libraries listed in 1 has the same policy. Is it also correct?

5

Yes. Red Hat did introduce the “Application Streams” with RHEL 8. Before that everything in RHEL major version was supported the full life of RHEL major version.

Now there are in RHEL:

  • Core distro packages that get support the full life of RHEL major version (a decade)
    These include the “Full Life Application Streams” and “Rolling Application Streams”
  • The regular “Application Streams” that are introduced after release of the RHEL major version and do have much shorter supported life cycle. Depending on application, the stream may replace core version, or can be installed simultaneously. The Python streams can be installed simultaneously; the system python remains what it is but you can install Python 3.12 too for user applications
  • CodeReady Builder packages that have no support

AlmaLinux does essentially have what corresponding RHEL has, and therefore offers similar support.

6

Thanks for the reply. I really appreciate for you.