How to setup different Scala versions on the same machine?

Question

I want to follow the book on Scala[1] but it uses Scala 3 and I have Scala 2 installed. I want to use both the versions, something on the lines of python2 and python3.

I tried installing Scala3 on my local using the official source but I could only grasp the project-level working directory. The sbt prompt does not work like a REPL would and I can only open REPL using Scala 2 (I checked the version everytime).

How do I open the REPL of Scala3 given I cannot uninstall Scala2?

Answer 1

The sbt prompt does not work like a REPL

If you execute sbt console from within project directory it will drop you into REPL version corresponding to the project's scalaVersion. For example, executing sbt console within project created with sbt new lampepfl/dotty.g8 would start Scala 3 REPL.

but I could only grasp the project-level working directory

For system-wide installation first install coursier and then execute cs install scala3-repl. This will install Scala 3 REPL alongside the Scala 2 one. Now Scala 3 REPL can be started with scala3-repl command whilst Scala 2 REPL simply with scala command.