How to Run Multiple Python Versions on a Docker Host

Tested Infrastructure

<table class="tg"> <tr> <th class="tg-yw4l">Platform</th> <th class="tg-yw4l">Number of Instance</th> <th class="tg-yw4l">Reading Time</th> </tr> <tr> <td class="tg-yw4l"> Play with Docker</td> <td class="tg-yw4l">1</td> <td class="tg-yw4l">5 min</td> </tr> </table>

Pre-requisite

Create an account with DockerHub
Open PWD Platform on your browser
Click on Add New Instance on the left side of the screen to bring up Alpine OS instance on the right side

Search Python Docker Images in DockerHub

$ docker search python
NAME                                  DESCRIPTION                                     STARS               OFFICIAL            AUTOMATED
python                                Python is an interpreted, interactive, objec…   3590                [OK]
django                                Django is a free web application framework, …   759                 [OK]
pypy                                  PyPy is a fast, compliant alternative implem…   157                 [OK]
kaggle/python                         Docker image for Python scripts run on Kaggle   105                                     [OK]
frolvlad/alpine-python3               The smallest Docker image with Python 3.5 (~…   90                                      [OK]
centos/python-35-centos7              Platform for building and running Python 3.5…   32
resin/raspberrypi3-python             The Python buildpack image for Python apps f…   30
arm32v7/python                        Python is an interpreted, interactive, objec…   28
amazon/aws-eb-python                  AWS Elastic Beanstalk Python Image              24
joyzoursky/python-chromedriver        Python with Chromedriver, for running automa…   16                                      [OK]
circleci/python                       Python is an interpreted, interactive, objec…   16
centos/python-36-centos7              Platform for building and running Python 3.6…   12
centos/python-27-centos7              Platform for building and running Python 2.7…   11
iron/python                           Tiny Python Microcontainer                      9
resin/raspberrypi3-alpine-python      The Python buildpack image for Python apps. …   7
microsoft/azure-functions-python3.6   Azure functions python image                    5                                       [OK]
dockershelf/python                    Repository for docker images of Python. Test…   4                                       [OK]
resin/beaglebone-black-python         The Python buildpack image for Python apps f…   3
bitnami/python                        Bitnami Python Docker Image                     3                                       [OK]
publicisworldwide/python-conda        Basic Python environments with Conda.           3                                       [OK]
centos/python-34-centos7              Platform for building and running Python 3.4…   2
komand/python-plugin                  DEPRECATED: Komand Python SDK                   2                                       [OK]
resin/qemux86-alpine-python           The Python buildpack image for Python apps. …   1
openshift/python-33-centos7           DEPRECATED: A Centos7 based Python v3.3 imag…   0
qbtrade/python                        python 3.5.0 with requirements                  0

Running Python 3.6-based Docker Container

$ docker run -dit python:3.6

Unable to find image 'python:3.6' locally
3.6: Pulling from library/python
54f7e8ac135a: Pull complete
d6341e30912f: Pull complete
087a57faf949: Pull complete
5d71636fb824: Pull complete
0c1db9598990: Pull complete
2eeb5ce9b924: Pull complete
a8c530378055: Pull complete
687ed2fb2a0d: Pull complete
620aea26e853: Pull complete
Digest: sha256:fc34d5b6cf5d00a6139a74370dc27ddc9ce18303e2210d0f199a6050cc29aa45
Status: Downloaded newer image for python:3.6
4411349d2e1c5407617201d8e9f9523d34f7105f82f5c53fad23bf3a67dacd54

Running Python 2.7-based Docker Container

[node1] (local) [email protected] ~
$ docker run -dit python:2.7
Unable to find image 'python:2.7' locally
2.7: Pulling from library/python
54f7e8ac135a: Already exists
d6341e30912f: Already exists
087a57faf949: Already exists
5d71636fb824: Already exists
0c1db9598990: Already exists
220bd9a491ba: Pull complete
97b15521fe5d: Pull complete
1b44c1054690: Pull complete
6b8b382a68d7: Pull complete
Digest: sha256:1bb98a04d037d9766110499d36bf2f3a2aa43965b4aa345da91f6de75f3816d8
Status: Downloaded newer image for python:2.7
dd4b7a0da1b56af242e9853fd512d4af4ddfa919fceaa6e6068a20f9fe0ab880
[node1] (local) [email protected] ~

Verifying both Docker Container

[node1] (local) [email protected] ~
$ docker ps
CONTAINER ID        IMAGE               COMMAND             CREATED             STATUS              PORTS               NAMES
dd4b7a0da1b5        python:2.7          "python2"           18 seconds ago      Up 17 seconds                           hardcore_shaw
4411349d2e1c        python:3.6          "python3"           26 seconds ago      Up 25 seconds                           romantic_spence
[node1] (local) [email protected] ~

Verifying Python Version in each Docker Container

[node1] (local) [email protected] ~
$ docker run python:2.7 python -V
Python 2.7.15
[node1] (local) [email protected] ~
$ docker run python:3.6 python -V
Python 3.6.7

Maintained by:

Ajeet Singh Raina