After several alpha, beta and rc tests, the Python programming language finally released version 3.10 today!

Python 3.10 will receive bug-fix updates in next 18 months. After that, it’s supported with 5-year security updates until October 2026.

What’s New in Python 3.10:

• Pattern matching syntax, inspired by similar syntax found in Scala, Erlang, and other languages.
• Support using enclosing parentheses for continuation across multiple lines in context managers
• Allow writing union types as X | Y
• Add optional length-checking to zip
• Precise line numbers for debugging and other tools
• Require OpenSSL 1.1.1 or newer
• Remove Py_UNICODE encoder APIs
• Add optional EncodingWarning
• Explicit Type Aliases
• Parameter Specification Variables

See the release note for more about Python 3.10.

How to Install Python 3.10 in Ubuntu:

The well trusted “deadsnakes” team PPA has made the packages for Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 18.04, and derivatives, e.g., Linux Mint 20, Elementary OS 6 and Zorin OS 16.

1.) Firstly, open terminal by either searching from overview screen or pressing Ctrl+Alt+T on keyboard. When it opens, run command to add the PPA:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa

2.) Then refresh system cache and install the language via command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install python3.10

Use Python 3.10 as default Python3:

It’s possible to make Python3 in Ubuntu to be Python3.10 via following commands. However, it causes issues, such as Gnome Terminal refuses to launch. Do it at your own risk!

• Check current Python3 version:

  python3 --version

• Use update-alternatives to create symbolic links to python3 (replace python3.8 in Ubuntu 16.04 with ):

  sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/python3 python3 /usr/bin/python3.8 1

  sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/python3 python3 /usr/bin/python3.10 2

• And choose which one to use as Python3 via command:

  sudo update-alternatives --config python3