Update Python instance installed by nRF Connect SDK

RE: Update Python instance installed by nRF Connect SDK

Pascal Künzi — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 11:18:43 GMT

Hi Øyvind

Thank you and your developers for the further information and the link to the alternate installation methods.

Going ahead, we will keep the system wide installation in mind.

Best regards,
Pascal

RE: Update Python instance installed by nRF Connect SDK

Øyvind — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 09:24:50 GMT

Hello,

[quote user="Pascal K"]Unfortunately, we didn't find an easy way to do so. Windows does not list the python instances installed with each nRF Connect SDK version[/quote]

Yes, that sounds correct. Each toolchain version includes a sandboxed version of a Python version. The v2.9.0 toolchain includes Python v3.12.4. You can check this version by opening nRF Connect from the VS Code terminal:

This should open terminal instance within the 2.9.0 toolchain and you can see what version is included by e.g. running python:

$ python
Python 3.12.4 (tags/v3.12.4:8e8a4ba, Jun  6 2024, 19:30:16) [MSC v.1940 64 bit (AMD64)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>>

[quote user="oys"]Updating Python only might break compatibility between Python and scrips in the SDK. Please test compatibility of toochain v2.9.0 and sdk v2.9.0 with e.g. basic west commands, etc. To verify no issues. [/quote]

I might have been somewhat unclear in my previous answer, but there is no way of updating the version inside the sandboxed toolchain package. Doing so will brake the version and you will be on your own in regards to support.

Asking our developers, they provide the following response:

If they want to deviate from the provided toolchains, doing their own installations altogether might be the better idea. The trade-off is described in https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ncs-latest/page/nrf/installation/install_ncs.html#alternative_method_installation_with_toolchain_manager: “System-wide installation is an alternative to the recommended installation methods using the nRF Connect for VS Code extension or nRF Util. It gives you more control over each of the required tools, but requires more familiarity with Zephyr and with each of the tools.”

[quote user="Pascal K"]Are those regular python installs or is that some kind of portable version?[/quote]

I would assume that the sandboxed version is some kind of portable version.

Kind regards,
Øyvind

RE: Update Python instance installed by nRF Connect SDK

Pascal Künzi — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:53:46 GMT

Hi Øyvind

We just updated to the nRF Connect SDK V2.9.0 and tried to also update the python instance to the latest version. Unfortunately, we didn't find an easy way to do so. Windows does not list the python instances installed with each nRF Connect SDK version.

When using the python installer, the directory content seems to differ as well.

Are those regular python installs or is that some kind of portable version?

It would be highly appreciated if you could update to the latest python version in the next SDK version.

Best regards,
Pascal

RE: Update Python instance installed by nRF Connect SDK

Øyvind — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 07:41:00 GMT

Hi Pascal,

[quote user="Pascal K"]Underneath the GUI of the nRF Connect extension for VS Code, the west commands are called as well.
To test the functionality, I could just use VS Code as before and check if problems occur?[/quote]

Yes, that is correct, and you should be able to test with VS Code e.g. build a project.

[quote user="Pascal K"]So if I understand you correctly, the latest SDK version V2.9.0 shall be used to reduce the possibility of dependency problems when updating Python.[/quote]

The toolchain for SDK v2.9.0 should be used, if you are still on v2.8.0 of the SDK. As the toolchain is what has latest version of Python. But if you want to update to SDK v2.9.0 you can do this as well.

Let us know how that works for you.

Kind regards,
Øyvind

RE: Update Python instance installed by nRF Connect SDK

Pascal Künzi — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 07:25:19 GMT

Hi Øyvind

Thank you for the quick reply!

The nRF Connect SDK V2.9.0 still uses Python V3.12.4 (Required tools). So if I understand you correctly, the latest SDK version V2.9.0 shall be used to reduce the possibility of dependency problems when updating Python.

Underneath the GUI of the nRF Connect extension for VS Code, the west commands are called as well.
To test the functionality, I could just use VS Code as before and check if problems occur?

Please let me know if I am mistaken.

Best regards
Pascal

RE: Update Python instance installed by nRF Connect SDK

Øyvind — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 15:08:00 GMT

Hello,

We recommend testing with a newer toolchain i.e. installing toolchain v2.9.0 if using SDK v2.8.0. Updating Python only might break compatibility between Python and scrips in the SDK. Please test compatibility of toochain v2.9.0 and sdk v2.9.0 with e.g. basic west commands, etc. To verify no issues.

Kind regards,
Øyvind

RE: Update Python instance installed by nRF Connect SDK

Øyvind — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 16:47:38 GMT

Hi Pascal,

I will inquire internally, as I need to verify if there are any dependencies in the toolchain package.

Kind regards,
Øyvind