configparser
Updated configparser from stdlib for earlier Pythons.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need ConfigParser features from newer Python versions but are constrained to Python 3.9+. The package is actively maintained, has no dependencies, and carries permissive licensing. However, if your project already supports a recent Python version, the built-in stdlib ConfigParser may be sufficient—verify whether the backported enhancements matter for your use case.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.9 or later.
- Low friction installation with no runtime dependencies.
- Actively maintained with recent commits; last release was 524 days ago.
License · maintenance · safety
permissive license (permissive) — MIT license (permissive) means you can use, modify, and distribute this package with minimal legal constraints in most contexts.
last release 2025-03-08 (524 days) · last repo commit 2026-04-13 · 62 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 11,842,775 downloads/mo, #1,359 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install configparser
import configparser
config = configparser.ConfigParser()
config.read('settings.ini')
value = config.get('section', 'key')- Which specific enhancements from later Python versions are included in version 7.2.0 compared to Python 3.9's stdlib ConfigParser.
- Whether this backport is necessary for current Python versions or primarily useful for projects constrained to Python 3.9.
- How to import and use the backport—whether it replaces the stdlib module or requires explicit backports namespace import.
What it is and what it does
ConfigParser is a backport of Python's standard library ConfigParser module, synchronized periodically with upstream CPython to bring newer features and fixes to Python 3.9+. It reads and writes INI-style configuration files with support for sections, options, and interpolation. The package is maintained by the same developer who maintains the vanilla ConfigParser in CPython, ensuring compatibility and feature parity.
It has no external runtime dependencies and installs with low friction. The project uses semantic versioning and tracks which upstream CPython functionality each release incorporates, making it straightforward to understand what you're getting. The repository is active with recent commits as of 2026-04-13.
Use it for
- Reading INI configuration files in applications that need features from newer Python versions while supporting Python 3.9.
- Standardizing configuration parsing across codebases that must maintain compatibility with Python 3.9.
- Accessing ConfigParser enhancements before upgrading the minimum Python version requirement.
- Testing code that relies on newer ConfigParser behavior without upgrading your entire Python environment.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need ConfigParser features from newer Python versions but are constrained to Python 3.9+.
The package is actively maintained, has no dependencies, and carries permissive licensing. However, if your project already supports a recent Python version, the built-in stdlib ConfigParser may be sufficient—verify whether the backported enhancements matter for your use case.
Install
configparser on PyPI
Before you install
Low friction installation with no runtime dependencies. Actively maintained with recent commits; last release was 524 days ago.
Requires Python 3.9 or later.
License in practice
MIT license (permissive) means you can use, modify, and distribute this package with minimal legal constraints in most contexts.
Quickstart
pip install configparser
import configparser
config = configparser.ConfigParser()
config.read('settings.ini')
value = config.get('section', 'key')Verify before relying
- Which specific enhancements from later Python versions are included in version 7.2.0 compared to Python 3.9's stdlib ConfigParser.
- Whether this backport is necessary for current Python versions or primarily useful for projects constrained to Python 3.9.
- How to import and use the backport—whether it replaces the stdlib module or requires explicit backports namespace import.
Package facts
| License | permissive license permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.9 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 524 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 11,842,775 / month, #1,359 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: MIT LicenseProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: Only |
Evidence: configparser-7.2.0-py3-none-any.whl
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See also configparser2 · logutils · iniparse · pickle5 · importlib-resources · contextlib2 · stdlib-list · importlib-metadata · commented-configparser · config-formatter