[Python-bugs-list] [ python-Bugs-739424 ] Python2.3b1 install problems on Linux

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Sat, 24 May 2003 08:52:31 -0700


Bugs item #739424, was opened at 2003-05-18 05:10
Message generated for change (Comment added) made by macquigg
You can respond by visiting: 
https://sourceforge.net/tracker/?func=detail&atid=105470&aid=739424&group_id=5470

Category: Build
Group: Not a Bug
Status: Closed
Resolution: Wont Fix
Priority: 5
Submitted By: David MacQuigg (macquigg)
Assigned to: Nobody/Anonymous (nobody)
Summary: Python2.3b1 install problems on Linux

Initial Comment:
I'm running Red Hat Linux 8.0, patches fully up to date, with the latest tcl/tk packages installed.  
Python2.2.1 is running fine, including Tkinter and IDLE.  Followed the standard install procedure for 
Python-2.3.b1 tarball, and Tkinter is now broken.  Can't install IDLE.

./configure and make ran OK.

~/Python-2.3b1> make test
 227 tests OK
  26 skipped
   1 unexpected skip on linux2: test_bz2
   No module named bz2

~/Python-2.3b1> make install
...
building '_tkinter' extension
gcc -DNDEBUG -g -O3 -Wall -Wstrict-prototypes -fPIC -DWITH_APPINIT=1 -I/usr/X11R6/include -I. 
-I/home/macquigg/Python-2.3b1/./Include -I/usr/local/include -I/home/macquigg/Python-2.3b1/Include 
-I/home/macquigg/Python-2.3b1 -c /home/macquigg/Python-2.3b1/Modules/_tkinter.c -o 
build/temp.linux-i686-2.3/_tkinter.o
cc1: warning: changing search order for system directory "/usr/local/include"
cc1: warning:   as it has already been specified as a non-system directory
In file included from /home/macquigg/Python-2.3b1/Modules/_tkinter.c:71:
/usr/include/tk.h:83:29: X11/Xlib.h: No such file or directory
In file included from /home/macquigg/Python-2.3b1/Modules/_tkinter.c:71:
/usr/include/tk.h:581: parse error before "Bool"
/usr/include/tk.h:583: parse error before "event"
/usr/include/tk.h:584: parse error before "root"
/usr/include/tk.h:585: parse error before "subwindow"
/usr/include/tk.h:586: parse error before "time"
/usr/include/tk.h:586: `time' redeclared as different kind of symbol
/usr/include/time.h:184: previous declaration of `time'
/usr/include/tk.h:591: parse error before "same_screen"
/usr/include/tk.h:597: parse error before "Bool"
...  many more of these parse errors ...

==> Cannot find "Xlib.h" anywhere under
    /usr/include,  /usr/X11R6, or in the Python-2.3b1 distribution.

As far as I know, the X11 files have not been altered.  Python 2.2.1 still runs OK.
Here are the versions on the tcl/tk packages recently downloaded from RedHat.
-rw-rw-r--    1 macquigg macquigg  1570466 May 10 11:36 tcl-8.3.3-74.i386.rpm
-rw-rw-r--    1 macquigg macquigg   460160 May 10 13:47 tix-8.2.0b1-74.i386.rpm
-rw-rw-r--    1 macquigg macquigg  1390929 May 10 11:40 tk-8.3.3-74.i386.rpm
-rw-rw-r--    1 macquigg macquigg   265427 Apr 25 04:54 tkinter-2.2.1-17.i386.rpm

More details in the attached logfile.  I'll try to keep this configuration together for debugging.

- Dave

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>Comment By: David MacQuigg (macquigg)
Date: 2003-05-24 08:52

Message:
Logged In: YES 
user_id=676422

Martin:  I'm not sure what you mean by a "system misconfiguration", and I'm concerned that this problem will occur 
with the final release of Python-2.3 on Red Hat Linux.

My system is completely up to date with the latest Red Hat 8 patches.  The missing package XFree86-devel is not 
one that is normally installed as part of the Red Hat standard system configuration.  A dependency like this should 
be resolved in the packages that require it.  Given the history of problems with IDLE and tkinter in Red Hat 8 and 9, 
it is clear to me that no testing of these modules is done on the packages that Red Hat distributes.  

This looks like a problem that falls in a crack between the developers and the distributors.  Whoever assembles the 
 Python-2.3 package for Red Hat should be aware of these problems.  Perhaps the Python developers could put 
together a test script that runs IDLE, and any other module in Python-2.3 that might depend on the "system 
configuration".  Then any time there is some change in the system, the Python packager (whoever that might be) 
could just run the test script, see that there is a missing "Xlib.h" or whatever, locate that file in the other packages 
that are part of the distribution, and add the proper dependency to the Python package.  Users installing 
Python-2.3 will then be able to resolve these package-level dependencies as they do with any other package.

I hope this is helpful, not just a nag.  The new IDLE is great.  I got it working with Qt Designer, and now my 
Python-Qt "IDE" is complete.  Goodby BlackAdder.       - Dave

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Comment By: Martin v. Löwis (loewis)
Date: 2003-05-24 05:25

Message:
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This is not a bug in Python, then, but a system
misconfiguration. Closing it.

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Comment By: David MacQuigg (macquigg)
Date: 2003-05-20 10:22

Message:
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Neal:  Installing XFree86-devel-4.2.0-72 and rebuilding Python-2.3b1 solved the problem. :>)  Tkinter works, and so 
does IDLEfork-0.9a2.  :>)  I'm delighted with the new functionality in IDLE.  Looks like I'll be giving up on 
BlackAdder --  *IF* I can get IDLE to play with Qt Designer.  That's my next project.  I'm also very impressed with 
Tkinter.  It might just pull me away from Qt Designer.

As for the currrent Tkinter install problem in 2.3b1, its just a packaging problem that needs to be solved in the 
.rpm's  before the final release.  I don't think any normal user will be able to find Xlib.h, or know what package to 
install.  Red Hat was no help at all.  There is no way to search their packages for a file you need, inquiries get only 
an automated response, and they don't appear to be doing their job on checking the stuff they pack into their 
releases.  IDLE won't even start in Red Hat 8.0.  I guess it is really up to the developers to check what Red Hat 
distributes.

Keep up the good work.    - Dave

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Comment By: David MacQuigg (macquigg)
Date: 2003-05-19 18:00

Message:
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Neal:  According to Redhat Network, my package tkinter-2.2.1-17 is installed correctly, including resolution of all 
dependencies.  I did find XFree86-devel-4.2.0-72, and I have scheduled that for installation.  I'll let you know if that 
solves the problem.  I'm suspecting a Red Hat problem.  They don't do a very good job with checking these 
packages.  Thanks for your help.

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Comment By: Neal Norwitz (nnorwitz)
Date: 2003-05-18 13:57

Message:
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You will need the Xlib headers installed to build Tkinter. 
The RPM package which contains the headers is probably
something like XFree86-devel-4-3.0-2.  Try installing that
package.

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