From d7e519314698859923a621513abc973f6577fb09 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gaurav Saini <147703805+gauravsaini04@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2025 13:57:13 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 01/11] [python] - issue #1172 - add version switching
 mechanism using update-alternatives

---
 src/python/install.sh | 21 ++++++++++++++++++++-
 1 file changed, 20 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/src/python/install.sh b/src/python/install.sh
index b3311c7c6..171ccf857 100755
--- a/src/python/install.sh
+++ b/src/python/install.sh
@@ -766,6 +766,12 @@ esac
 
 check_packages ${REQUIRED_PKGS}
 
+# Function to get the major version from a SemVer string
+get_major_version() {
+    local version="$1"
+    echo "$version" | cut -d '.' -f 1
+}
+
 # Install Python from source if needed
 if [ "${PYTHON_VERSION}" != "none" ]; then
     if ! cat /etc/group | grep -e "^python:" > /dev/null 2>&1; then
@@ -777,15 +783,28 @@ if [ "${PYTHON_VERSION}" != "none" ]; then
 
     install_python ${PYTHON_VERSION}
 
+    PYTHON_VER=${PYTHON_VERSION}
+    find_version_from_git_tags PYTHON_VER "https://github.com/python/cpython"
+    major_version=$(get_major_version ${PYTHON_VER})
+    IFS=","
+    read -a additional_versions <<< "$ADDITIONAL_VERSIONS"
+    # update-alternatives --install ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}${major_version} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${PYTHON_VER} $((${#additional_versions[@]}+1))
+    # update-alternatives --install ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${PYTHON_VER}/bin/python${major_version} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${PYTHON_VER} $((${#additional_versions[@]}+1))
+    update-alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH}/bin/python${PYTHON_VERSION} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${PYTHON_VER} $((${#additional_versions[@]}+1))
+    update-alternatives --set python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${PYTHON_VER}
+
     # Additional python versions to be installed but not be set as default.
     if [ ! -z "${ADDITIONAL_VERSIONS}" ]; then
         OLD_INSTALL_PATH="${INSTALL_PATH}"
         OLDIFS=$IFS
         IFS=","
             read -a additional_versions <<< "$ADDITIONAL_VERSIONS"
-            for version in "${additional_versions[@]}"; do
+            for i in "${!additional_versions[@]}"; do
+                version=${additional_versions[$i]}
                 OVERRIDE_DEFAULT_VERSION="false"
                 install_python $version
+                major_version=$(get_major_version ${version})
+                update-alternatives --install ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION}/bin/python${VERSION} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION} $((${i}+1))
             done
         INSTALL_PATH="${OLD_INSTALL_PATH}"
         IFS=$OLDIFS

From 685efc8a06d847e86ff66d88eaf58671d5cae44d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gaurav Saini <147703805+gauravsaini04@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 2025 14:01:36 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 02/11] removed commented code

---
 src/python/install.sh | 2 --
 1 file changed, 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/python/install.sh b/src/python/install.sh
index 171ccf857..e756b60be 100755
--- a/src/python/install.sh
+++ b/src/python/install.sh
@@ -788,8 +788,6 @@ if [ "${PYTHON_VERSION}" != "none" ]; then
     major_version=$(get_major_version ${PYTHON_VER})
     IFS=","
     read -a additional_versions <<< "$ADDITIONAL_VERSIONS"
-    # update-alternatives --install ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}${major_version} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${PYTHON_VER} $((${#additional_versions[@]}+1))
-    # update-alternatives --install ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${PYTHON_VER}/bin/python${major_version} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${PYTHON_VER} $((${#additional_versions[@]}+1))
     update-alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH}/bin/python${PYTHON_VERSION} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${PYTHON_VER} $((${#additional_versions[@]}+1))
     update-alternatives --set python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${PYTHON_VER}
 

From 816a44436625fcc3b6911123905d03b27e520fc2 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gaurav Saini <147703805+gauravsaini04@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2025 05:33:39 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 03/11] [python] - update-alternatives addition for ease in
 switching of python versions - complete

---
 src/python/install.sh | 9 +++------
 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/python/install.sh b/src/python/install.sh
index e756b60be..2265d4f8c 100755
--- a/src/python/install.sh
+++ b/src/python/install.sh
@@ -785,11 +785,6 @@ if [ "${PYTHON_VERSION}" != "none" ]; then
 
     PYTHON_VER=${PYTHON_VERSION}
     find_version_from_git_tags PYTHON_VER "https://github.com/python/cpython"
-    major_version=$(get_major_version ${PYTHON_VER})
-    IFS=","
-    read -a additional_versions <<< "$ADDITIONAL_VERSIONS"
-    update-alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH}/bin/python${PYTHON_VERSION} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${PYTHON_VER} $((${#additional_versions[@]}+1))
-    update-alternatives --set python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${PYTHON_VER}
 
     # Additional python versions to be installed but not be set as default.
     if [ ! -z "${ADDITIONAL_VERSIONS}" ]; then
@@ -802,8 +797,10 @@ if [ "${PYTHON_VERSION}" != "none" ]; then
                 OVERRIDE_DEFAULT_VERSION="false"
                 install_python $version
                 major_version=$(get_major_version ${version})
-                update-alternatives --install ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION}/bin/python${VERSION} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION} $((${i}+1))
+                update-alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION} 100
             done
+        update-alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${PYTHON_VER} 100
+        update-alternatives --set python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${PYTHON_VER}
         INSTALL_PATH="${OLD_INSTALL_PATH}"
         IFS=$OLDIFS
     fi

From c2da50b64c9a15d00ff8c27e71f5dfd14ac89751 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gaurav Saini <147703805+gauravsaini04@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2025 05:41:26 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 04/11] changes for passing of other tests !!

---
 src/python/install.sh | 11 +++--------
 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/python/install.sh b/src/python/install.sh
index 2265d4f8c..b5fdc383b 100755
--- a/src/python/install.sh
+++ b/src/python/install.sh
@@ -778,13 +778,11 @@ if [ "${PYTHON_VERSION}" != "none" ]; then
         groupadd -r python
     fi
     usermod -a -G python "${USERNAME}"
-
     CURRENT_PATH="${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/current"
-
     install_python ${PYTHON_VERSION}
-
-    PYTHON_VER=${PYTHON_VERSION}
-    find_version_from_git_tags PYTHON_VER "https://github.com/python/cpython"
+    major_version=$(get_major_version ${VERSION})
+    update-alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION} 100
+    update-alternatives --set python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION}
 
     # Additional python versions to be installed but not be set as default.
     if [ ! -z "${ADDITIONAL_VERSIONS}" ]; then
@@ -796,11 +794,8 @@ if [ "${PYTHON_VERSION}" != "none" ]; then
                 version=${additional_versions[$i]}
                 OVERRIDE_DEFAULT_VERSION="false"
                 install_python $version
-                major_version=$(get_major_version ${version})
                 update-alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION} 100
             done
-        update-alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${PYTHON_VER} 100
-        update-alternatives --set python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${PYTHON_VER}
         INSTALL_PATH="${OLD_INSTALL_PATH}"
         IFS=$OLDIFS
     fi

From dd6f8c3e3f63d0ea405b7cf535b8ce9e4d53eb4e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gaurav Saini <147703805+gauravsaini04@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2025 05:50:01 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 05/11] change for better positioning of code

---
 src/python/install.sh | 8 ++++----
 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/python/install.sh b/src/python/install.sh
index b5fdc383b..5cfb4f3c6 100755
--- a/src/python/install.sh
+++ b/src/python/install.sh
@@ -780,9 +780,6 @@ if [ "${PYTHON_VERSION}" != "none" ]; then
     usermod -a -G python "${USERNAME}"
     CURRENT_PATH="${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/current"
     install_python ${PYTHON_VERSION}
-    major_version=$(get_major_version ${VERSION})
-    update-alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION} 100
-    update-alternatives --set python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION}
 
     # Additional python versions to be installed but not be set as default.
     if [ ! -z "${ADDITIONAL_VERSIONS}" ]; then
@@ -790,11 +787,14 @@ if [ "${PYTHON_VERSION}" != "none" ]; then
         OLDIFS=$IFS
         IFS=","
             read -a additional_versions <<< "$ADDITIONAL_VERSIONS"
+            major_version=$(get_major_version ${VERSION})
+            update-alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION} $((${#additional_versions[@]}+1))
+            update-alternatives --set python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION}
             for i in "${!additional_versions[@]}"; do
                 version=${additional_versions[$i]}
                 OVERRIDE_DEFAULT_VERSION="false"
                 install_python $version
-                update-alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION} 100
+                update-alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION} $((${i}+1))
             done
         INSTALL_PATH="${OLD_INSTALL_PATH}"
         IFS=$OLDIFS

From d60d526212c068408d0230e3230ca8950e0c190c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gaurav Saini <147703805+gauravsaini04@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2025 08:21:15 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 06/11] Added test case scenario for Update-Alternatives check

---
 ...update-alternatives_switchable_versions.sh | 59 +++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 59 insertions(+)
 create mode 100644 test/python/update-alternatives_switchable_versions.sh

diff --git a/test/python/update-alternatives_switchable_versions.sh b/test/python/update-alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..612c5be4e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/python/update-alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+set -e
+
+# Optional: Import test library
+source dev-container-features-test-lib
+
+check "python version 3.11 installed as default" bash -c "python --version | grep 3.11"
+check "python3 version 3.11 installed as default" bash -c "python3 --version | grep 3.11"
+check "python version 3.10.5 installed"  bash -c "ls -l /usr/local/python | grep 3.10.5"
+check "python version 3.8 installed"  bash -c "ls -l /usr/local/python | grep 3.8"
+check "python version 3.9.13 installed"  bash -c  "ls -l /usr/local/python | grep 3.9.13"
+
+# Check paths in settings
+check "current symlink is correct" bash -c "which python | grep /usr/local/python/current/bin/python"
+check "current symlink works" /usr/local/python/current/bin/python --version
+
+# check update-alternatives command
+
+check_version_switch() {
+    PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES=$(update-alternatives --query python3 | grep -E 'Alternative:|Priority:')
+    AVAILABLE_VERSIONS=()
+    INDEX=1
+
+    echo "Available Python versions:"
+    while read -r alt && read -r pri; do
+        PATH=${alt#Alternative: }   # Extract only the path
+        PRIORITY=${pri#Priority: }  # Extract only the priority number
+        AVAILABLE_VERSIONS+=("$PATH")
+        echo "$INDEX) $PATH (Priority: $PRIORITY)"
+        ((INDEX++))
+    done <<< "${PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES}"
+
+    echo -e "\n"
+
+    # Ensure at least 4 alternatives exist
+    if [ "${#AVAILABLE_VERSIONS[@]}" -lt 4 ]; then
+        echo "Error: Less than 4 Python versions registered in update-alternatives."
+        exit 1
+    fi
+
+    for CHOICE in {1..4}; do
+        SELECTED_VERSION="${AVAILABLE_VERSIONS[$((CHOICE - 1))]}"
+        echo "Switching to: ${SELECTED_VERSION}"
+        /usr/bin/update-alternatives --set python3 ${SELECTED_VERSION}
+
+        # Verify the switch
+        echo "Python version after switch:"
+        /usr/local/python/current/bin/python3 --version
+
+        /bin/sleep 2
+
+        echo -e "\n"
+    done
+    echo -e "Update-Alternatives --display: \n"
+    /usr/bin/update-alternatives --display python3
+}
+
+check "Version Switch With Update_Alternatives" check_version_switch
\ No newline at end of file

From 31a32746e238ef2a0f14b0e7a23b6b61c796aa20 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gaurav Saini <147703805+gauravsaini04@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2025 09:44:02 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 07/11] added scenario for testing

---
 test/python/scenarios.json | 10 ++++++++++
 1 file changed, 10 insertions(+)

diff --git a/test/python/scenarios.json b/test/python/scenarios.json
index be37869df..b3051d143 100644
--- a/test/python/scenarios.json
+++ b/test/python/scenarios.json
@@ -255,5 +255,15 @@
                 "enableShared": true
             }
         }
+    },
+    "update-alternatives_switchable_versions": {
+        "image": "ubuntu:focal",
+        "features": {
+            "python": {
+                "version": "3.11",
+                "installTools": true,
+                "additionalVersions": "3.8,3.9.13,3.10.5"
+            }
+        }
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file

From ab9b1c83d5dc5b9cb12b42463583e00cfd74a094 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gaurav Saini <147703805+gauravsaini04@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:18:43 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 08/11] [alternatives] - added option for fedora, centos & rhel

---
 src/python/install.sh                         | 19 +++-
 .../alternatives_switchable_versions.sh       | 89 +++++++++++++++++++
 test/python/scenarios.json                    | 10 +++
 ...update-alternatives_switchable_versions.sh | 54 ++++++++---
 4 files changed, 157 insertions(+), 15 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 test/python/alternatives_switchable_versions.sh

diff --git a/src/python/install.sh b/src/python/install.sh
index 5cfb4f3c6..fec8937a0 100755
--- a/src/python/install.sh
+++ b/src/python/install.sh
@@ -788,13 +788,26 @@ if [ "${PYTHON_VERSION}" != "none" ]; then
         IFS=","
             read -a additional_versions <<< "$ADDITIONAL_VERSIONS"
             major_version=$(get_major_version ${VERSION})
-            update-alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION} $((${#additional_versions[@]}+1))
-            update-alternatives --set python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION}
+            if type apt-get > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+                # Debian/Ubuntu: Use update-alternatives
+                update-alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION} $((${#additional_versions[@]}+1))
+                update-alternatives --set python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION}
+            elif type dnf > /dev/null 2>&1 || type yum > /dev/null 2>&1 || type microdnf > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+                # Fedora/RHEL/CentOS: Use alternatives
+                alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION} $((${#additional_versions[@]}+1))
+                alternatives --set python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION}
+            fi
             for i in "${!additional_versions[@]}"; do
                 version=${additional_versions[$i]}
                 OVERRIDE_DEFAULT_VERSION="false"
                 install_python $version
-                update-alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION} $((${i}+1))
+                if type apt-get > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+                    # Debian/Ubuntu: Use update-alternatives
+                    update-alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION} $((${i}+1))
+                elif type dnf > /dev/null 2>&1 || type yum > /dev/null 2>&1 || type microdnf > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+                    # Fedora/RHEL/CentOS: Use alternatives
+                    alternatives --install ${CURRENT_PATH} python${major_version} ${PYTHON_INSTALL_PATH}/${VERSION} $((${i}+1))
+                fi
             done
         INSTALL_PATH="${OLD_INSTALL_PATH}"
         IFS=$OLDIFS
diff --git a/test/python/alternatives_switchable_versions.sh b/test/python/alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5c8821088
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/python/alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+set -e
+
+# Optional: Import test library
+source dev-container-features-test-lib
+
+check "python version 3.11 installed as default" bash -c "python --version | grep 3.11"
+check "python3 version 3.11 installed as default" bash -c "python3 --version | grep 3.11"
+check "python version 3.10.5 installed"  bash -c "ls -l /usr/local/python | grep 3.10.5"
+check "python version 3.8 installed"  bash -c "ls -l /usr/local/python | grep 3.8"
+check "python version 3.9.13 installed"  bash -c  "ls -l /usr/local/python | grep 3.9.13"
+
+# Check paths in settings
+check "current symlink is correct" bash -c "which python | grep /usr/local/python/current/bin/python"
+check "current symlink works" /usr/local/python/current/bin/python --version
+
+# check alternatives command
+check_version_switch() {
+    if type apt-get > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+        PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES=$(update-alternatives --query python3 | grep -E 'Alternative:|Priority:')
+        STYLE="debian"
+    elif type dnf > /dev/null 2>&1 || type yum > /dev/null 2>&1 || type microdnf > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+        PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES=$(alternatives --display python3 | grep " - priority")
+        STYLE="fedora"
+    else
+        echo "No supported package manager found."
+        exit 1
+    fi
+    AVAILABLE_VERSIONS=()
+    INDEX=1
+
+    echo "Available Python versions:"
+    if [ "$STYLE" = "debian" ]; then
+        while read -r alt && read -r pri; do
+            PATH=${alt#Alternative: }   # Extract only the path
+            PRIORITY=${pri#Priority: }  # Extract only the priority number
+            AVAILABLE_VERSIONS+=("$PATH")
+            echo "$INDEX) $PATH (Priority: $PRIORITY)"
+            ((INDEX++))
+        done <<< "${PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES}"
+    elif [ "$STYLE" = "fedora" ]; then
+        # Fedora/RHEL output: one line per alternative in the format:
+        # /usr/local/python/3.11.11 - priority 4
+        while IFS= read -r line; do
+            # Split using " - priority " as a delimiter.
+            SELECTED_PATH=$(echo "$line" | awk -F' - priority ' '{print $1}' | xargs)
+            PRIORITY_VALUE=$(echo "$line" | awk -F' - priority ' '{print $2}' | xargs)
+            AVAILABLE_VERSIONS+=("$SELECTED_PATH")
+            echo "$INDEX) $SELECTED_PATH (Priority: $PRIORITY_VALUE)"
+            ((INDEX++))
+        done <<< "${PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES}"
+    fi
+
+    echo -e "\n"
+
+    # Ensure at least 4 alternatives exist
+    if [ "${#AVAILABLE_VERSIONS[@]}" -lt 4 ]; then
+        echo "Error: Less than 4 Python versions registered in update-alternatives."
+        exit 1
+    fi
+
+    for CHOICE in {1..4}; do
+        SELECTED_VERSION="${AVAILABLE_VERSIONS[$((CHOICE - 1))]}"
+        echo "Switching to: ${SELECTED_VERSION}"
+        if type apt-get > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+            /usr/bin/update-alternatives --set python3 ${SELECTED_VERSION}
+        elif type dnf > /dev/null 2>&1 || type yum > /dev/null 2>&1 || type microdnf > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+            /usr/sbin/alternatives --set python3 ${SELECTED_VERSION}
+        fi
+
+        # Verify the switch
+        echo "Python version after switch:"
+        /usr/local/python/current/bin/python3 --version
+
+        /bin/sleep 2
+
+        echo -e "\n"
+    done
+    echo -e "Update-Alternatives --display: \n"
+    if type apt-get > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+        /usr/bin/update-alternatives --display python3
+    elif type dnf > /dev/null 2>&1 || type yum > /dev/null 2>&1 || type microdnf > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+        /usr/sbin/alternatives --display python3
+    fi
+    
+}
+
+check "Version Switch With Update_Alternatives" check_version_switch
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/python/scenarios.json b/test/python/scenarios.json
index b3051d143..335fd36c8 100644
--- a/test/python/scenarios.json
+++ b/test/python/scenarios.json
@@ -265,5 +265,15 @@
                 "additionalVersions": "3.8,3.9.13,3.10.5"
             }
         }
+    },
+    "alternatives_switchable_versions": {
+        "image": "fedora",
+        "features": {
+            "python": {
+                "version": "3.11",
+                "installTools": true,
+                "additionalVersions": "3.8,3.9.13,3.10.5"
+            }
+        }
     }
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/python/update-alternatives_switchable_versions.sh b/test/python/update-alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
index 612c5be4e..5c8821088 100644
--- a/test/python/update-alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
+++ b/test/python/update-alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
@@ -15,21 +15,42 @@ check "python version 3.9.13 installed"  bash -c  "ls -l /usr/local/python | gre
 check "current symlink is correct" bash -c "which python | grep /usr/local/python/current/bin/python"
 check "current symlink works" /usr/local/python/current/bin/python --version
 
-# check update-alternatives command
-
+# check alternatives command
 check_version_switch() {
-    PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES=$(update-alternatives --query python3 | grep -E 'Alternative:|Priority:')
+    if type apt-get > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+        PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES=$(update-alternatives --query python3 | grep -E 'Alternative:|Priority:')
+        STYLE="debian"
+    elif type dnf > /dev/null 2>&1 || type yum > /dev/null 2>&1 || type microdnf > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+        PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES=$(alternatives --display python3 | grep " - priority")
+        STYLE="fedora"
+    else
+        echo "No supported package manager found."
+        exit 1
+    fi
     AVAILABLE_VERSIONS=()
     INDEX=1
 
     echo "Available Python versions:"
-    while read -r alt && read -r pri; do
-        PATH=${alt#Alternative: }   # Extract only the path
-        PRIORITY=${pri#Priority: }  # Extract only the priority number
-        AVAILABLE_VERSIONS+=("$PATH")
-        echo "$INDEX) $PATH (Priority: $PRIORITY)"
-        ((INDEX++))
-    done <<< "${PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES}"
+    if [ "$STYLE" = "debian" ]; then
+        while read -r alt && read -r pri; do
+            PATH=${alt#Alternative: }   # Extract only the path
+            PRIORITY=${pri#Priority: }  # Extract only the priority number
+            AVAILABLE_VERSIONS+=("$PATH")
+            echo "$INDEX) $PATH (Priority: $PRIORITY)"
+            ((INDEX++))
+        done <<< "${PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES}"
+    elif [ "$STYLE" = "fedora" ]; then
+        # Fedora/RHEL output: one line per alternative in the format:
+        # /usr/local/python/3.11.11 - priority 4
+        while IFS= read -r line; do
+            # Split using " - priority " as a delimiter.
+            SELECTED_PATH=$(echo "$line" | awk -F' - priority ' '{print $1}' | xargs)
+            PRIORITY_VALUE=$(echo "$line" | awk -F' - priority ' '{print $2}' | xargs)
+            AVAILABLE_VERSIONS+=("$SELECTED_PATH")
+            echo "$INDEX) $SELECTED_PATH (Priority: $PRIORITY_VALUE)"
+            ((INDEX++))
+        done <<< "${PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES}"
+    fi
 
     echo -e "\n"
 
@@ -42,7 +63,11 @@ check_version_switch() {
     for CHOICE in {1..4}; do
         SELECTED_VERSION="${AVAILABLE_VERSIONS[$((CHOICE - 1))]}"
         echo "Switching to: ${SELECTED_VERSION}"
-        /usr/bin/update-alternatives --set python3 ${SELECTED_VERSION}
+        if type apt-get > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+            /usr/bin/update-alternatives --set python3 ${SELECTED_VERSION}
+        elif type dnf > /dev/null 2>&1 || type yum > /dev/null 2>&1 || type microdnf > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+            /usr/sbin/alternatives --set python3 ${SELECTED_VERSION}
+        fi
 
         # Verify the switch
         echo "Python version after switch:"
@@ -53,7 +78,12 @@ check_version_switch() {
         echo -e "\n"
     done
     echo -e "Update-Alternatives --display: \n"
-    /usr/bin/update-alternatives --display python3
+    if type apt-get > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+        /usr/bin/update-alternatives --display python3
+    elif type dnf > /dev/null 2>&1 || type yum > /dev/null 2>&1 || type microdnf > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+        /usr/sbin/alternatives --display python3
+    fi
+    
 }
 
 check "Version Switch With Update_Alternatives" check_version_switch
\ No newline at end of file

From f00d4a7940b36b2b79278bb49124a73f0291ba66 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gaurav Saini <147703805+gauravsaini04@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2025 00:34:03 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 09/11] changed file name

---
 test/python/scenarios.json                                      | 2 +-
 ...e_versions.sh => update_alternatives_switchable_versions.sh} | 0
 2 files changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)
 rename test/python/{update-alternatives_switchable_versions.sh => update_alternatives_switchable_versions.sh} (100%)

diff --git a/test/python/scenarios.json b/test/python/scenarios.json
index 335fd36c8..9dc37e16c 100644
--- a/test/python/scenarios.json
+++ b/test/python/scenarios.json
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@
             }
         }
     },
-    "update-alternatives_switchable_versions": {
+    "update_alternatives_switchable_versions": {
         "image": "ubuntu:focal",
         "features": {
             "python": {
diff --git a/test/python/update-alternatives_switchable_versions.sh b/test/python/update_alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
similarity index 100%
rename from test/python/update-alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
rename to test/python/update_alternatives_switchable_versions.sh

From 1ca2d2660edde010f897198cd34f2593c4b3da94 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gaurav Saini <147703805+gauravsaini04@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2025 04:12:29 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 10/11] changes for update-alternatives test case proper
 functioning

---
 ...update_alternatives_switchable_versions.sh | 24 +++++++++----------
 1 file changed, 11 insertions(+), 13 deletions(-)

diff --git a/test/python/update_alternatives_switchable_versions.sh b/test/python/update_alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
index 5c8821088..aa2b914dd 100644
--- a/test/python/update_alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
+++ b/test/python/update_alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
@@ -31,28 +31,27 @@ check_version_switch() {
     INDEX=1
 
     echo "Available Python versions:"
-    if [ "$STYLE" = "debian" ]; then
+    if [ "${STYLE}" = "debian" ]; then
         while read -r alt && read -r pri; do
             PATH=${alt#Alternative: }   # Extract only the path
             PRIORITY=${pri#Priority: }  # Extract only the priority number
-            AVAILABLE_VERSIONS+=("$PATH")
+            AVAILABLE_VERSIONS+=("${PATH}")
             echo "$INDEX) $PATH (Priority: $PRIORITY)"
             ((INDEX++))
         done <<< "${PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES}"
-    elif [ "$STYLE" = "fedora" ]; then
+    elif [ "${STYLE}" = "fedora" ]; then
         # Fedora/RHEL output: one line per alternative in the format:
-        # /usr/local/python/3.11.11 - priority 4
         while IFS= read -r line; do
             # Split using " - priority " as a delimiter.
-            SELECTED_PATH=$(echo "$line" | awk -F' - priority ' '{print $1}' | xargs)
+            PATH=$(echo "$line" | awk -F' - priority ' '{print $1}' | xargs)
             PRIORITY_VALUE=$(echo "$line" | awk -F' - priority ' '{print $2}' | xargs)
-            AVAILABLE_VERSIONS+=("$SELECTED_PATH")
-            echo "$INDEX) $SELECTED_PATH (Priority: $PRIORITY_VALUE)"
+            AVAILABLE_VERSIONS+=("$PATH")
+            echo "$INDEX) $PATH (Priority: $PRIORITY_VALUE)"
             ((INDEX++))
         done <<< "${PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES}"
     fi
 
-    echo -e "\n"
+    echo -e "\n Available Versions: ${#AVAILABLE_VERSIONS[@]}"
 
     # Ensure at least 4 alternatives exist
     if [ "${#AVAILABLE_VERSIONS[@]}" -lt 4 ]; then
@@ -60,21 +59,20 @@ check_version_switch() {
         exit 1
     fi
 
+    export PATH="/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin"
+
     for CHOICE in {1..4}; do
         SELECTED_VERSION="${AVAILABLE_VERSIONS[$((CHOICE - 1))]}"
         echo "Switching to: ${SELECTED_VERSION}"
-        if type apt-get > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+        if command -v apt-get > /dev/null 2>&1; then
             /usr/bin/update-alternatives --set python3 ${SELECTED_VERSION}
-        elif type dnf > /dev/null 2>&1 || type yum > /dev/null 2>&1 || type microdnf > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+        elif command -v dnf > /dev/null 2>&1 || command -v yum > /dev/null 2>&1 || command -v microdnf > /dev/null 2>&1; then
             /usr/sbin/alternatives --set python3 ${SELECTED_VERSION}
         fi
-
         # Verify the switch
         echo "Python version after switch:"
         /usr/local/python/current/bin/python3 --version
-
         /bin/sleep 2
-
         echo -e "\n"
     done
     echo -e "Update-Alternatives --display: \n"

From 7692c63169db96bc41e594fd399a3ac2efd1d95a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Gaurav Saini <147703805+gauravsaini04@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2025 23:38:16 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 11/11] arrange in asc order for default value retention after
 testing ends

---
 .../alternatives_switchable_versions.sh       | 50 ++++++++++++-------
 ...update_alternatives_switchable_versions.sh | 35 +++++++++----
 2 files changed, 57 insertions(+), 28 deletions(-)

diff --git a/test/python/alternatives_switchable_versions.sh b/test/python/alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
index 5c8821088..a29392c17 100644
--- a/test/python/alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
+++ b/test/python/alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
@@ -27,54 +27,69 @@ check_version_switch() {
         echo "No supported package manager found."
         exit 1
     fi
+
     AVAILABLE_VERSIONS=()
     INDEX=1
-
     echo "Available Python versions:"
-    if [ "$STYLE" = "debian" ]; then
+    if [ "${STYLE}" = "debian" ]; then
         while read -r alt && read -r pri; do
             PATH=${alt#Alternative: }   # Extract only the path
             PRIORITY=${pri#Priority: }  # Extract only the priority number
-            AVAILABLE_VERSIONS+=("$PATH")
+            TEMP_VERSIONS+=("${PRIORITY} ${PATH}")
             echo "$INDEX) $PATH (Priority: $PRIORITY)"
             ((INDEX++))
         done <<< "${PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES}"
-    elif [ "$STYLE" = "fedora" ]; then
+    elif [ "${STYLE}" = "fedora" ]; then
+        export PATH="/usr/bin:$PATH"
         # Fedora/RHEL output: one line per alternative in the format:
-        # /usr/local/python/3.11.11 - priority 4
         while IFS= read -r line; do
             # Split using " - priority " as a delimiter.
-            SELECTED_PATH=$(echo "$line" | awk -F' - priority ' '{print $1}' | xargs)
-            PRIORITY_VALUE=$(echo "$line" | awk -F' - priority ' '{print $2}' | xargs)
-            AVAILABLE_VERSIONS+=("$SELECTED_PATH")
-            echo "$INDEX) $SELECTED_PATH (Priority: $PRIORITY_VALUE)"
+            PATH=$(/usr/bin/awk -F' - priority ' '{print $1}' <<< "$line" | /usr/bin/xargs /bin/echo)
+            PRIORITY=$(/usr/bin/awk -F' - priority ' '{print $2}' <<< "$line" | /usr/bin/xargs /bin/echo)    
+            TEMP_VERSIONS+=("${PRIORITY} ${PATH}") 
+            echo "$INDEX) $PATH (Priority: $PRIORITY_VALUE)"
             ((INDEX++))
         done <<< "${PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES}"
     fi
 
-    echo -e "\n"
+    export PATH="/usr/bin:$PATH"
+    # Sort by priority (numerically ascending)
+    IFS=$'\n' TEMP_VERSIONS=($(sort -n <<<"${TEMP_VERSIONS[*]}"))
+    unset IFS
+
+    # Populate AVAILABLE_VERSIONS from sorted data
+    AVAILABLE_VERSIONS=()
+    INDEX=1
+    echo -e "\nAvailable Python versions (Sorted in asc order of priority):"
+    for ENTRY in "${TEMP_VERSIONS[@]}"; do
+        PRIORITY=${ENTRY%% *}  # Extract priority (first part before space)
+        PATH=${ENTRY#* }       # Extract path (everything after first space)
+        AVAILABLE_VERSIONS+=("${PATH}")
+        echo "$INDEX) $PATH (Priority: $PRIORITY)"
+        ((INDEX++))
+    done
 
+    echo -e "\nAvailable Versions Count: ${#AVAILABLE_VERSIONS[@]}"
     # Ensure at least 4 alternatives exist
     if [ "${#AVAILABLE_VERSIONS[@]}" -lt 4 ]; then
         echo "Error: Less than 4 Python versions registered in update-alternatives."
         exit 1
     fi
-
+    
+    export PATH="/usr/bin:$PATH"
+    echo -e "\nSwitching to different versions using update-alternatives --set command...\n"
     for CHOICE in {1..4}; do
         SELECTED_VERSION="${AVAILABLE_VERSIONS[$((CHOICE - 1))]}"
         echo "Switching to: ${SELECTED_VERSION}"
-        if type apt-get > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+        if command -v apt-get > /dev/null 2>&1; then
             /usr/bin/update-alternatives --set python3 ${SELECTED_VERSION}
-        elif type dnf > /dev/null 2>&1 || type yum > /dev/null 2>&1 || type microdnf > /dev/null 2>&1; then
+        elif command -v dnf > /dev/null 2>&1 || command -v yum > /dev/null 2>&1 || command -v microdnf > /dev/null 2>&1; then
             /usr/sbin/alternatives --set python3 ${SELECTED_VERSION}
         fi
-
         # Verify the switch
         echo "Python version after switch:"
         /usr/local/python/current/bin/python3 --version
-
-        /bin/sleep 2
-
+        /bin/sleep 1
         echo -e "\n"
     done
     echo -e "Update-Alternatives --display: \n"
@@ -83,7 +98,6 @@ check_version_switch() {
     elif type dnf > /dev/null 2>&1 || type yum > /dev/null 2>&1 || type microdnf > /dev/null 2>&1; then
         /usr/sbin/alternatives --display python3
     fi
-    
 }
 
 check "Version Switch With Update_Alternatives" check_version_switch
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/test/python/update_alternatives_switchable_versions.sh b/test/python/update_alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
index aa2b914dd..07a517332 100644
--- a/test/python/update_alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
+++ b/test/python/update_alternatives_switchable_versions.sh
@@ -29,38 +29,54 @@ check_version_switch() {
     fi
     AVAILABLE_VERSIONS=()
     INDEX=1
-
     echo "Available Python versions:"
     if [ "${STYLE}" = "debian" ]; then
         while read -r alt && read -r pri; do
             PATH=${alt#Alternative: }   # Extract only the path
             PRIORITY=${pri#Priority: }  # Extract only the priority number
-            AVAILABLE_VERSIONS+=("${PATH}")
+            TEMP_VERSIONS+=("${PRIORITY} ${PATH}")
             echo "$INDEX) $PATH (Priority: $PRIORITY)"
             ((INDEX++))
         done <<< "${PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES}"
     elif [ "${STYLE}" = "fedora" ]; then
+        export PATH="/usr/bin:$PATH"
         # Fedora/RHEL output: one line per alternative in the format:
         while IFS= read -r line; do
             # Split using " - priority " as a delimiter.
-            PATH=$(echo "$line" | awk -F' - priority ' '{print $1}' | xargs)
-            PRIORITY_VALUE=$(echo "$line" | awk -F' - priority ' '{print $2}' | xargs)
-            AVAILABLE_VERSIONS+=("$PATH")
+            PATH=$(/usr/bin/awk -F' - priority ' '{print $1}' <<< "$line" | /usr/bin/xargs /bin/echo)
+            PRIORITY=$(/usr/bin/awk -F' - priority ' '{print $2}' <<< "$line" | /usr/bin/xargs /bin/echo)    
+            TEMP_VERSIONS+=("${PRIORITY} ${PATH}") 
             echo "$INDEX) $PATH (Priority: $PRIORITY_VALUE)"
             ((INDEX++))
         done <<< "${PYTHON_ALTERNATIVES}"
     fi
 
-    echo -e "\n Available Versions: ${#AVAILABLE_VERSIONS[@]}"
+    export PATH="/usr/bin:$PATH"   
+    # Sort by priority (numerically ascending)
+    IFS=$'\n' TEMP_VERSIONS=($(sort -n <<<"${TEMP_VERSIONS[*]}"))
+    unset IFS
+
+    # Populate AVAILABLE_VERSIONS from sorted data
+    AVAILABLE_VERSIONS=()
+    INDEX=1
+    echo -e "\nAvailable Python versions (Sorted in asc order of priority):"
+    for ENTRY in "${TEMP_VERSIONS[@]}"; do
+        PRIORITY=${ENTRY%% *}  # Extract priority (first part before space)
+        PATH=${ENTRY#* }       # Extract path (everything after first space)
+        AVAILABLE_VERSIONS+=("${PATH}")
+        echo "$INDEX) $PATH (Priority: $PRIORITY)"
+        ((INDEX++))
+    done
 
+    echo -e "\nAvailable Versions Count: ${#AVAILABLE_VERSIONS[@]}\n"
     # Ensure at least 4 alternatives exist
     if [ "${#AVAILABLE_VERSIONS[@]}" -lt 4 ]; then
         echo "Error: Less than 4 Python versions registered in update-alternatives."
         exit 1
     fi
 
-    export PATH="/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/bin"
-
+    export PATH="/usr/bin:$PATH"
+    echo -e "\nSwitching to different versions using update-alternatives --set command...\n"
     for CHOICE in {1..4}; do
         SELECTED_VERSION="${AVAILABLE_VERSIONS[$((CHOICE - 1))]}"
         echo "Switching to: ${SELECTED_VERSION}"
@@ -72,7 +88,7 @@ check_version_switch() {
         # Verify the switch
         echo "Python version after switch:"
         /usr/local/python/current/bin/python3 --version
-        /bin/sleep 2
+        /bin/sleep 1
         echo -e "\n"
     done
     echo -e "Update-Alternatives --display: \n"
@@ -81,7 +97,6 @@ check_version_switch() {
     elif type dnf > /dev/null 2>&1 || type yum > /dev/null 2>&1 || type microdnf > /dev/null 2>&1; then
         /usr/sbin/alternatives --display python3
     fi
-    
 }
 
 check "Version Switch With Update_Alternatives" check_version_switch
\ No newline at end of file