Python version?

[omkar-jere]

I've been writing scripts in MEL so far but now I also want to learn Python but I am confused between Python version 2 and Python version 3 which one does maya use ? I've heard there are a few differences as far as syntax is concerned between version 2 and 3 Is it true ? which version should I focus on ?

[ldunham1]

i think it depends on the maya version your using, im using maya 2011 64bit and running python 2.7

[joojaa]

Dont panic theres no such big differences that you couldnt cope with the change in less than 1 hour. That is assuming you understood anything about programming in general. If your even remotely competent you can switch languages pretty quikcly.

Anyway point is that the 3 line isnt production ready yet.

PS: there is more difference ebtween say 2.2 and 2.5 than theres between 2.7 and 3

[omkar-jere]

So does maya use Python installed on a local machine ? If Python is not installed on Windows then what version does maya use and how to query the version ?

[joojaa]

No maya uses a python bundled inside maya, you can use a maya installed on machine if you wish, but by default maya uses the installed python even if you isntall your own. And certainly switching to 3.x will not work, atleast not very well.

how to query the version ?

Well you can look it up in your maya manual its listed there. but also you can just ask your maya python commandline:

import sys
print(sys.version)