Python 2.6 OR 3.2

[harrismh777]

Andrew Berg wrote:
> AFAICT, there are three reasons to learn Python 2:

    ... there is a fourth reason.

The linux distro you are using currently was customized with python 2.x

I ran into this problem this week in fact... on my HP g6 ubuntu notebook 
running 10.04 lucid. It ships with the 2.6.5 interpreter. I installed 
2.7.1 and 3.2 (from sources) and was working along happy as a clam until 
I needed to configure a printer... and the config tools would not 
function... some of them would not even open.  Want to guess?  Yup, the 
config tools are (some of them) written in python 2.6-- and they don't 
run in 2.7.1 nor 3.2  .   :(

So, be careful.  I have had to separate *all* of my python installs on 
*every* one of my systems for this similar reason. The bottom line is if 
the distro ships with 2.6 (minus the idle) chances are that the 
interpreter is there *not* to advocate for python explicitly, but 
because the interpreter is being used by the system somewhere. If you 
install 2.7 or 3.2 you need to be careful to *not* interfere with the 
default setup.

So, you will need to be able to use both.  There is no getting around 
it... but, I would start with 3.2 (seriously). Get 3.2 under your belt 
and then when you need to, go back and deal with the 2.6 regression.

3.2 is better built, is more logically consistent (it really is, no 
kidding), and has some new features that make it very attractive. The 
down-side is that some (most) of the library support is still not there 
for many projects.   It will take some time, but it will happen.



kind regards,
m harris