Installing Python modules with local Python build

Question

I have python 2.7 installed locally in ~/Python2.7/ and I need the psycopg2 module. But when I try to install it with easy_install or compile it manually, I get

error: invalid Python installation: unable to open /usr/local/lib/python2.7/config/Makefile (No such file or directory)

I tried to change a line in ~/Python2.7/Lib/sysconfig.py from

return os.path.join(get_path('stdlib'), "config", "Makefile")

to

return '/home/foo/Python2.7/Makefile'

with no effect. What do I do to walk around this?

easy_install was already installed locally. Honestly, Python was not installed, only compiled, and I have only created a symlink to the binary in ~/bin/. — janek37
– janek37, Commented May 20, 2011 at 17:01
Does the shebang of easy_install point to your local Python? — merwok
– merwok, Commented Feb 25, 2012 at 5:17

peterw · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-20 16:39:15Z

2

Check the command line options: http://packages.python.org/distribute/easy_install.html#command-line-options and try fiddling around with your --install-dir . The local install would also need to be in the PYTHONPATH environment variable. If you are trying to install everything locally, try using pip, instead of easy_install, and setup a virtual environment (from virtualenv).

answered May 20, 2011 at 16:39

peterw

1,4122 gold badges13 silver badges23 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

janek37 Over a year ago

Well, the command line options are no good... install-dir is where the module, not Python, is installed. I think I'll try to persuade the admin to install python 2.7 globally, after all.

Pavel Repin Over a year ago

virtualenv is perfect for this. You build Python from source to the desired --prefix, and then you can use virtualenv --python /path/to/your/local/python/exe ... to create an environment in which you can install any desired package using either easy_install or pip. Without elevating privileges! Upvoting this answer since it mentions virtualenv.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Installing Python modules with local Python build

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related