How to Check the Apache Airflow Version

 Apache Airflow is a powerful open-source tool used for orchestrating and managing workflows. Knowing your Airflow version is essential for compatibility checks, troubleshooting, and taking advantage of new features or bug fixes. Here’s a quick guide on how to check the version of Apache Airflow installed on your system.

Method 1: Using the Airflow Command-Line Interface (CLI)

The easiest and most common way to check the version of Apache Airflow is through the Airflow CLI. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open your terminal or command prompt: Ensure you have access to the environment where Airflow is installed.

2. Run the following command:

   bash
   airflow version
   

3. Check the output: This command will return the version number of the installed Airflow instance. It should look something like:

   2.6.1
   

This method works across all operating systems where Airflow is installed and configured.

Method 2: Checking the Version in Python

If you are in a Python environment or scripting and need to check the Airflow version programmatically, you can use Python to check the version.

1. Open a Python shell: You can do this by typing python or python3 in your terminal.

2. Run the following code:

   python
   import airflow
   print(airflow.__version__)
   

3. Check the output: This should print the version number of Apache Airflow in use.

This method is particularly useful if you’re working in an environment where you cannot use the Airflow CLI directly.

Method 3: Checking the Version in a Requirements or Pipfile

If you have Airflow installed as part of a Python virtual environment, you can also check the version by examining the environment’s requirements file (e.g., requirements.txt) or through pip.

1. Using Pip to List Installed Packages:

   bash
   pip show apache-airflow
   

2. Look for the version line: This command will output information about the Airflow package, including the version, which should look like:

   makefile
   Name: apache-airflow
   Version: 2.6.1
   

Alternatively, you can list all installed packages and grep for Airflow:

bash
pip list | grep airflow

Method 4: Using the Airflow UI

If you’re running Airflow with the web server, you can also find the version in the UI:

1. Access the Airflow Web UI: Open a web browser and navigate to your Airflow instance (typically http://localhost:8080).

2. Look at the bottom of the page: The version number is often displayed at the bottom of the screen in the footer.

Conclusion

Checking the version of Apache Airflow is straightforward and can be done through the CLI, Python, package files, or the Airflow UI. This information helps you ensure compatibility and stay updated with the latest Airflow features and security updates.