Version Management for Ruby, Python, Node and Rust

Aug 19, 2018 - Reading time: less than a minute.

Here's a handy cheat sheet if you find yourself needing an exotic version of Ruby, Python, Node or Rust. Other version management tools are available for ruby, python and node, I just happen to like these ones.

Action	Ruby	Python	Node	Rust
List available versions to install	`rbenv install --list`	`pyenv install --list`	`nvm ls-remote`	n/a
Install specific version	`rbenv install 2.5.1`	`pyenv install 3.6.6`	`nvm install v10.9.0`	`rustup use nightly-2018-08-01`
List locally installed versions	`rbenv versions`	`pyenv versions`	`nvm ls`	`rustup show`
Pin a project to a version	`rbenv local 2.5.1`	`pyenv local 3.6.6`	`echo v10.9.0 > .nvmrc ; nvm use`	`rustup override nightly-2018-08-01`
Set global version	`rbenv global 2.5.1`	`pyenv global 3.6.6`	n/a	`rustup default nightly-2018-08-01`

Python virtual environments

This assumes you've pinned your project to a specific version of python.

# create an virtual environment
pyenv virtualenv thingy
# activate!
pyenv activate thingy
# do your thang!
pip install pylint black pytest
# exit virtual environment
pyenv deactivate

Rust components (standard libraries, RLS, clippy)

Components will install for the active toolchain (stable, nightly, beta)

To install RLS: rustup component add rls-preview rust-analysis rust-src

To install clippy: rustup component add clippy-preview

Rust docs

Did you know you always get an off-line copy of the Rust documentation (language reference, standard library and the Rust book) suite when you install a toolchain? To open it for the active toolchain: rustup doc