As part of our commitment to maintaining up-to-date and secure Python environments, Anaconda is announcing the end of support for Python 3.8 in our main channel of the Anaconda Distribution. This decision aligns with the upstream CPython support cycle for Python minor versions.

Key Dates

  • End of Support Date: October 31, 2024
  • Last Security Fix: October 4, 2024 (python-3.8.20 was the last security fix release to main for Python 3.8)

What This Means for Users

After October 31, 2024:

  1. Availability:
    • All Python interpreter packages for Python 3.8 (e.g., python=3.8.*) will remain available in the main channel.
    • Packages built to work with Python 3.8 (also known as Python 3.8 “variants”, which include py38 in the filename) will remain available in the main channel.
  2. No Further Updates:
    • No additional patch releases for Python 3.8, including security fix releases, will be provided by the upstream CPython project or Anaconda.
    • Anaconda will stop building and distributing Python 3.8 variant packages.

Recommendations for Users

  • If you’re still using Python 3.8, we strongly recommend upgrading to a more recent version of Python (e.g., 3.9, 3.10, or later) to ensure you receive the latest security updates and can take advantage of new features.
  • Review your projects and dependencies to plan for migration to a newer Python version.
  • Test your code with newer Python versions to identify and address any compatibility issues.

Upgrading

We understand that upgrading can sometimes be challenging, especially for large or complex projects. Conda environments can help you backup your dependencies and safely test your code with updated versions in isolated environments. If you have any questions or need assistance with the transition, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us on the Anaconda Community forums.