Re: [modeller_usage] Modeller usage with Python 2.4?
To: Dow_Hurst <>
Subject: Re: [modeller_usage] Modeller usage with Python 2.4?
From: Modeller Caretaker <>
Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 22:07:50 -0800
Cc:
Dow_Hurst wrote:
After perusing the archives for explanations of Modeller and Python
interactions, it isn't apparent to me that Modeller couldn't use a
later interpreter and modules if the paths are set correctly.
The Python interpreter is built into the executable, so you cannot use a
different one. You can, however, use other *modules*, as long as they
are compatible with the Python 2.3 interpreter. This generally means
that earlier pure Python (.py) modules will work, or later .py modules
that do not require any 2.4 features will also work. What will generally
_not_ work, however, are any modules which have a binary component (i.e.
.pyd, .dll, or .so files) as these generally require a specific Python
interpreter version.
I understand that Modeller can be made aware of standard python 2.3
modules with the PYTHONHOME variable. However, I haven't found a
clear yes or no on using a Python 2.4 standard installation with
Modeller. Is it possible to disable the internal Python 2.3
interpreter linked into Modeller and force Modeller to use a system's
Python 2.4 installation?
No.
If not, then I could just compile/install
Python 2.3. I use SUSE 9.3 and 10.0 mainly at the moment in our lab
at UNCG on all the machines so I don't have a native install of the
older Python. Uninstalling Python 2.4 breaks several packages so a
side by side compile/install is probably easiest.
Compiling Python 2.3 from source is fairly straightforward on a modern
Linux system, and you can install in /usr/local or some other location
which won't conflict with the existing 2.4 install.
The next release of Modeller will be available as a 'true' Python
module, so will be interoperable with any sufficiently recent Python
interpreter.