@byron I think the problem is that since python2.7 is dead, a number of applications assume that when you type 'python' you are running 'python3.8'. A number of distributions have python = python 2.7 and you get the newest one by running python3.
Ubuntu now has a package called "python-is-python3" that when installed makes the python command execute python3. That is what's needed for the ESP32 tools to work for Arduino and VSCode/platformIO
If your code won't compile, have another glass of bourbon. Eventual the problem will be solved.
A number of distributions have python = python 2.7 and you get the newest one by running python3.
Are yes, I was forgetting that. On my rpi I always include the following alias in the .bashrc file
alias pip=pip3
alias python=python3
which saves me from the cluches of python 2.7 😀