Managing multiple versions of programming languages on your local machine can be a challenging task, especially with the frequent releases of new versions. Different projects often require specific versions of a programming language to build and run correctly. Therefore, efficient version management is crucial for any developer working on diverse projects. This blog post will guide you through the best practices for managing various programming language versions, allowing you to focus more on development and less on configuration.

In this blog post, we will explore various version management tools that can help us efficiently manage versions of programming languages and essential tools. Below is the list of programming languages and the corresponding version management tools which can be used to manage versions of those programming languages and tools on your local machine.

Version Managers

A version manager is a tool that helps you manage different versions of software installed on your local machine. Some version managers are specific to certain software, while others support multiple tools. Below, we will discuss various version managers that can help you efficiently manage programming language versions.

Java, Groovy, Scala, Sbt Version Management

For Java, Groovy, Scala, and Sbt, you can use SDKMAN! to manage multiple versions. SDKMAN! allows you to install, switch, and manage different versions of these languages with ease.

To install SDKMAN!, run:

curl -s "https://get.sdkman.io" | bash

To list the versions of Java installed via SDKMAN!, run:

sdk list java

To install a specific version of Java, run:

sdk install java <java_version>

To make a version of Java the default, run:

sdk default java <java_version>

Similarly, you can manage Groovy, Scala, and Sbt versions using SDKMAN!:

To install a specific version of Groovy, run:

sdk install groovy <groovy_version>

To install a specific version of Scala, run:

sdk install scala <scala_version>

To install a specific version of Sbt, run:

sdk install sbt <sbt_version>

Python Version Management

For Python, pyenv is a popular choice. It simplifies the process of installing and switching between multiple Python versions.

To install pyenv, run:

curl https://pyenv.run | bash

To list the versions of Python installed via pyenv, run:

pyenv versions

To install a specific version of Python, run:

pyenv install <python_version>

To set a global version of Python, run:

pyenv global <python_version>

Go Version Management

The gvm (Go Version Manager) tool is useful for managing different versions of Go.

To install gvm, run:

brew update
brew install goenv

To list the versions of Go installed via gvm, run:

gvm list

To install a specific version of Go, run:

gvm install go<go_version>

To set a default version of Go, run:

gvm use go<go_version> --default

Node.js / JavaScript Version Management

For Node.js, nvm (Node Version Manager) is widely used. It allows you to install and switch between different versions of Node.js effortlessly.

To install nvm, run:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.1/install.sh | bash

To list the versions of Node.js installed via nvm, run:

nvm ls

To install a specific version of Node.js, run:

nvm install <node_version>

To set a default version of Node.js, run:

nvm alias default <node_version>

Conclusion

Efficient version management is a critical skill for developers working on multiple projects with varying requirements. By using the right version managers, you can streamline your workflow and focus more on coding rather than configuration. Stay tuned for detailed guides on setting up and using these version managers for each programming language.

By following these best practices, you can ensure that your development environment is always ready for any project, regardless of the programming language version it requires.