System Requirements and Release Notes

For system requirements, see the P4 API for Python Release notes.

Platform Compatibility

P4 API for Python is certified and regression-tested on the following platforms

Windows (x86, x86_64)

  • Windows Server: 2016, 2019, 2022

  • Windows Desktop: 10, 11

macOS

  • Intel: macOS 11, 12

  • Apple Silicon (ARM64): macOS 12, 13

Linux (x86, x86_64)

  • Ubuntu: 20.04, 22.04, 24.04

  • CentOS 8

  • Rocky Linux 9.1

  • RHEL 10

Linux (ARM64)

  • Ubuntu: 20.04, 22.04, 24.04

  • Rocky Linux 9.4

  • RHEL 10

Platforms not listed above are not actively tested by Perforce. P4 API for Python may still run on other platforms, but issues on unlisted platforms are not prioritized for fixes.

Python Compatibility

The following versions of P4 API for Python can be built from source using the following Python versions:

Python Version

Minimum P4 API for Python Release

3.9

2021.1

3.10

2022.1

3.11

2022.2

3.12

2023.1

3.13

2024.2

3.14

2025.2

Important End-of-Life Notice

P4 API for Python 2025.2 is the last release to support and test against Python 3.9, which is in EOL status.

Server Compatibility

P4 API for Python is officially supported with the 2025.1 P4 Server. Older server versions may work, but are not officially supported.

P4 API for C/C++ Compatibility

P4 API for Python requires P4 API for C/C++ version 2025.1/2761706 or later. Older API versions will not compile and are not supported.

OpenSSL Compatibility

To enable encrypted communication, P4 API for Python must be built using the same OpenSSL version as the P4 API for C/C++.

Since P4 API for Python 2017.1, OpenSSL is a mandatory dependency (SSL stub library removed).

Preferred OpenSSL versions:

  • OpenSSL 3.x.x

  • OpenSSL 1.1.1 (latest patch)

Compiler Compatibility

P4 API for Python must be built with the same compiler used to build the P4 API for C/C++. The preferred compilers are gcc or g++.

Building with Linux

  • From P4 API for Python 2019.1, building requires gcc 6 or newer due to updated library dependencies.

  • Using mismatched compiler versions may cause link errors due to symbol name differences.

Building with Windows

  • For Python 3.x on Windows, ensure the Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable is installed:

    • vc_redist.x64.exe (64-bit)

    • vc_redist.x86.exe (32-bit)

    Without these, the P4 API for C/C++ API DLL will fail to load, and import P4 will not work.