The python -V command returns its output to STDERR instead of STDOUT, it seems. so, you probably have to have your OPEN command grab the input from STDERR... maybe like this: 

open VERSION, "python -V |", \*STDERR or 
  die "This doesn't work at all: $!\n";

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In reply to Re: version retrieval difficulties by shandor
in thread version retrieval difficulties by Snigwel

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