Re: [matplotlib-devel] Better to compile Python and libraries from source? If so, what version?

On Wed, Sep 22, 2010 at 2:15 PM, Jeremy Lounds <lo...@gm...> wrote:
> I have another question for the group...
>
> I saw in the archives someone else who was getting the error I am now
> running in to now. He said he solved it by recompiling from sources. I
> was wondering what version of Python is optimal for matplotlib and
> basemap?

What platform are you on -- compiling from source is particularly easy
on linux.  I use the stock python, and then get all the dependencies
for all the packages I want t build from source:

> sudo apt-get build_dep numpy scipy matplotlib mayavi traits cython sympy

Then check out the source from the version control repositories (svn/git/hg) and

> python setup.py install --prefix=~/whatever

This will almost always work, out of the box, and some version of this
is what most of the serious users do.

Then if you encounter a runtime problem or a real bug, report it to
the mailing list, get the bug fixed, svn up and reinstall.

Other platforms (win32, osx) are possible but much harder.

JDH