cpython-3.8.6 doesn't really support 3.8.6?

[peterboston]

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First, I want to say I really appreciate your work here. I am a first time user. I don't know what I found is an issue or not. I downloaded the cpython-3.8.6-x86_64-unknown-linux-gnu-debug-20201020T0627.tar.zst. I found when I execute the "python3 --version", it says "Python 3.6.8". When I execute the "python3.8 --version", it says to me "bash: python3.8: command not found... Install package 'python38' to provide command 'python3.8'? [N/y]"

I typed "y" and a few packages were installed on my CentOS 8. But it was installed system wide. What I expected is the installation will happen within your python/install folder and then your portable python truly support 3.8.6.

I think I probably missed something and your cpython-3.8.6 supports 3.8.6 already. Is there any simple instruction to show how to use/config your wonderful standalone distribution?

[indygreg]

If you simply type python or python3.8 in your shell, your shell will attempt to find an executable file of that name in the directories defined by the PATH environment variable.

From the output you pasted, it looks like your request to run various python executables uses a Python install on the system.

Try typing the full path to the python executable inside the extracted archive. e.g. python/install/bin/python3.8 or ./python3.9. This will run an explicit path and won't fall back to scanning other directories for binaries.