Greetings, On my system I can have several python versions installed because they install as python2.3, python2.4, etc.
$ which python /usr/bin/python $ ls -l /usr/bin/python ... /usr/bin/python -> python2.4 Here, we can see that "python" is just a link to /usr/bin/python2.4 So, I can install python 2.5, and simply change the link so when I enter "python" at the prompt, it will start python2.5. $ man ln ln [OPTION]... [-T] TARGET LINK_NAME (1st form) So, after installing python 2.5, change to /usr/bin, remove /usr/bin/python $ cd /usr/bin $ rm python And now make a new link to python2.5 (you may have to be root!): # ln -s /usr/bin/python2.5 python If I'm not mistaken, the library files, and so forth are stored in different directories, so installing a new version, won't corrupt an older version. ..../lib/python2.4/site-packages See how python 2.4 is in the python2.4 directory? If, for some reason, you want the other version, just start it with the absolute pathname: $ /usr/bin/python2.3 I hope this is helpful? I don't use Mandrake, so I'm unfamiliar with its package manager, or how to do upgrades for it. The above are generic *nix commands that should work with any distro. apt-get and Synaptic rock! =) -- b h a a l u u at g m a i l dot c o m http://www.geocities.com/ek.bhaaluu/index.html On 10/13/07, LandSurveyor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I wish to upgrade Python from the [Vers.] 2.3.4 that came packaged with my > Mandrake 10.1 Linux OS to the current 2.5.1. The 'hash/bang' line of my > python scripts is "#!/usr/bin/python". There are two files, both > executables, in my /usr/bin directory; they are 1)python, and 2)python2.3. > > I just simply don't know what to do next!? The advise I can google to is > typically overly generous, full of contradictions (sometime within the same > post..."Well you can do this, but if you wanna do that instead..."). Well, I > don't know why "I want to do this", or "do that instead". I just want to > know where to put my new version of python, and when I unzip/configure/and so > on..., will I end up with: > > 1)an application that will pick up seamlessly and run my apps? > 2)will pythontutor still be available? > 3)will I have an upgraded & accessible package of modules? > 4)will I need to modify the "hash/bang" line? > 5)when I type 'python' on a command line, how will I access the new 2.5.1 > rather than the older version? i.e., where do I go to modify the results of > that request? > > Oh, and could I-as I understand (to a limited degree) Linux- install the > entire package within my home directory, following the principle that I am a > user without admin privileges, and then change the "hash/bang" line to > redirect to my 'embedded' version, and thus be running 2.5.1 within my own > little world? And if I did so, the same questions persist. If I asked for a > module, would I get the one from my 2.5.1, or the module that exists in the > older 2.3.4? And when I entered 'python' from a command line (to access the > interpreter) how would I get my 2.5.1 version, rather than the older 2.3.4. > > It's just amazing, the array of niggling little questions that no one thinks > about, but that create unmountable stumbling blocks once they pop up in the > middle of your path, isn't it!? But, they are enough to completely stop me > in my tracks, and they are the nitty-gritty questions that no one seems to > think important enough to address and clarify. > > Thanks, folks. > _______________________________________________ > Tutor maillist - [email protected] > http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor > _______________________________________________ Tutor maillist - [email protected] http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/tutor
