Newbie: Tkinter and macPython

[gt]

I'm waffling between Ruby, and Python as a programming
language.
I borrowed a friends book on Ruby, and have played with
it a bit.
I went by the library to check out 'Learning Python'
but i was too late, the library had closed already...

Anyway, to the point.
I downloaded macPython for OSX, and was trying to get
a simpe Tkinter example to work form Lundh's tutorial,
I think it was.
Bu I get an error...

# File: hello1.py

from Tkinter import *

root = Tk()
w = Label(root, text="Hello, world!")
w.pack()

root.mainloop()


error is:
'Tk' is not defined

and in the IDLE:

Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.3/lib/python2.3/codeop.py",
line 140, in __call__
codeob = compile(source, filename, symbol, self.flags, 1)
File "<input>", line 1
root = Tk()
^
SyntaxError: invalid syntax

 

[gt]

You have hit MacPython at a slightly awkward time. MacPython (through
version 2.2.x) runs as a carbon application on MacOS X and the Tk
interface was never "carbonized" (I think because the underlying Tk was
never carbonized, but whatever the reason, the fact is it will not
work). (MacPython can also be configured as a classic app, simply by
double clicking the suitable application in the installation, in which
case Tkinter runs just fine at least if you boot into MacOS 9, I'm not
sure if it runs in Classic emulation mode.)

If you want to run Python 2.2.x/Tkinter on MacOS X you can do it as
follows:

Download and install aqua tcl/tk. Version 8.4.1 is the latest that will
work with Python 2.2.x. A binary distribution is available from
<http://www.maths.mq.edu.au/~steffen/tcltk/TclTkAqua/>; there are three
flavors available; I recommend TclTkAqua (having "wish" around is nice.
I'm not sure the full "BI" version adds anything you'll find useful.

Download and install Python. For Python 2.2.x I suggest using Bob
Ippolito's binary installer <http://redivi.com/~bob/>, since it includes
Tkinter and some other useful stuff already built. Note that it also
includes wxPython, an alternate GUI that you may wish to look at.

If you prefer to install thiss stuff from source, my home page
<http://www.astro.washington.edu/owen/> has a suitable link. Installing
from source is not for the faint of heart (though it'll be easier for
Python 2.3).

Warning: unix Python 2.2.2 requires \n line endings for files, which is
not the Mac norm. Any decent text editor (e.g. BBEdit or Pepper) *can*
save files with \n, but you have to configure it to do it. This problem
will go away with Python 2.3.


Python 2.3 will be the first version that unifies "MacPython" and unix
Python (thanks to hard work by Jack Jansen and others). Python 2.3b1 is
available now from Jack's MacPython site
<http://homepages.cwi.nl/~jack/macpython.html>. Install aqua Tk/tcl as
above, then install the 2.3b1 binary installer. You have to do a bit
more work to get Tkinter installed -- I think MacPython 2.3b1 comes with
a package manager that will do the job, but I've not yet tried it.

I personally use both 2.3b1 and have had no problems with it. (I
actually have a dual installation; 2.3b1 with aqua Tk and 2.2.2 with
unix style x-windowing Tk; both work well.)

In conclusion, life will be grand when Python 2.3 is released. Meanwhile
it's a bit of work, but not too bad.


I hope this helps.

-- Russell

Wow.
I never expected anything this thourough for a response.
Thanks Russell.
I have actually installed MacPython 2.3b1.
I tried the package manager, but at the time it wouldnt connect to
the 'database' (if I remember correctly)
At any rate, it looks like I need aqua Tk.
It would seem that I should un-install 2.3b1, install
aqua Tk, then reinstall 2.3b1 and implement the package manager.
Thanks again.

-- Greg

 

[Russell E. Owen]

Wow.
I never expected anything this thourough for a response.
Thanks Russell.
I have actually installed MacPython 2.3b1.
I tried the package manager, but at the time it wouldnt connect to
the 'database' (if I remember correctly)
At any rate, it looks like I need aqua Tk.
It would seem that I should un-install 2.3b1, install
aqua Tk, then reinstall 2.3b1 and implement the package manager.
Thanks again.

Sorry to hear that. The package manager in 2.3b1 had some bugs that are
probably fixed in 2.3b2, but it's so new that I don't think there's a
binary installer for MacOS X yet.

I doubt you need to uninstall your Python.

Installing Tk in advance is important if you buld Python from source
(because the make script automatically builds Tkinter for you if it can
find Tcl/Tk). I don't think it matters when installing from binary.

Unfortunately, I do not know how to add Tkinter to the binary installed
version of Python 2.3 (given that you are having trouble with the
package manager). I'm sure somebody does know. Try posting to the
MacPython mailing list.

Two other options are:
- Build Python from source (e.g. see link below). A bit slow but it
certainly does work.
- Use Bob Ippolito's binary installer for Python 2.2.2, which includes
lots of extras.

I've put what I know about building Python for MacOS X at
<http://www.astro.washington.edu/owen/PythonOnMacOSX.html>. Probably not
much there I didn't already post, but at least now it's in one place and
can be updated. I'm hoping Python 2.3 final will be so easy to install
that extra information is redundant.

-- Russell

 

[Piet van Oostrum]

(e-mail address removed) (gt) (GT) wrote:

GT> I'm waffling between Ruby, and Python as a programming
GT> language.
GT> I borrowed a friends book on Ruby, and have played with
GT> it a bit.
GT> I went by the library to check out 'Learning Python'
GT> but i was too late, the library had closed already...

GT> Anyway, to the point.
GT> I downloaded macPython for OSX, and was trying to get
GT> a simpe Tkinter example to work form Lundh's tutorial,
GT> I think it was.
GT> Bu I get an error...

I guess you have downloaded a Python installation with proper Tkinter
support. I had that also a few weeks ago. I installed the new 2.3b2 from
source and it works.

 

[Piet van Oostrum]

PvO> I guess you have downloaded a Python installation with proper Tkinter

of course that should have been ... without ...