MySQLdb install vs. "setuptools"

[John Nagle]

Antoine Pitrou wrote:
> On Sun, 30 May 2010 10:10:00 -0700
> John Nagle <nagle at animats.com> wrote:
>>      Actually, a "built" but "uninstalled" Python works fine.
>>  If it
>> didn't, "make test" wouldn't work.
> 
> That's a completely unrelated thing. The main reason "make test" works
> with an uninstalled Python is simply so that the core developers' life
> is easier. It doesn't mean all Python functionalities work in that
> context.
 >
>>      On the other hand, options to "./configure" apparently don't work
>> right in Python 2.6 through 3.x.  "--libdir" and "--bindir" don't actually
>> do anything.
> 
> You can use "--prefix" instead, it works.

     It's nice that some of the options work.  Note that someone who
used "--bindir", expecting it to work, might end up overwriting their
existing Python installation unintentionally, which would break system
administration tools like cPanel and "yum".

     cPanel support recommends against installing a new Python other
than through "yum".

http://forums.cpanel.net/f5/mailman-breaks-stable-upcp-due-python-upgrade-126453.html
http://forums.cpanel.net/f5/upgrade-python-whm-113593.html

     They don't trust other install mechanisms.  With good cause.

>>      The real problem here remains the unnecessary use of "setuptools".
> 
> No, again, the real problem is just that you are trying to install
> modules for an uninstalled Python.
> You may hate setuptools with a passion, but it's unconstructive and
> useless to put the blame on it without any solid argument.
> Do yourself a favour: pass the proper options to "./configure", and
> install Python.
> 
> Regardssetu
> 
> Antoine.

    Having demonstrated in a previous post that 1) the use of "setuptools"
was completely unnecessary, and 2) it's quite possible to load and use
MySQLdb in an "uninstalled" Python, we can dismiss the above argument.

    The ongoing low quality of Python distribution mechanisms, and the
denial of that fact, is a major part of why Python, after 20 years, is far
less available than Perl.  The latest production versions of Red Hat
Enterprise Linux and CentOS, the major server distributions, still ship
with Python 2.4.3, a five year old version of Python.

					John Nagle