7 thoughts on “Installing Python (Mac OS)”

1. Things I did to install and run spyder on Mountain Lion

   1) install XQuartz – http://xquartz.macosforge.org/landing/

   2) update to latest python – http://www.python.org/download/releases/3.3.0/

   3) install Tcl/Tk – http://www.python.org/download/mac/tcltk/

   4) install XCODE from App Store
   — build Command Line Tools

   5) install MacPorts – http://guide.macports.org/

   6) active the Terminal window
   $ sudo port install py-spyder
   $ sudo port -f activate python27
   $ sudo port install py-spyder
   $ spyder-2.7 &

   Given this was my first attempt at Macports, it required lots of trial and error.

   Reply ↓

   • I successfully replicated all the first OceanPython.org tutorial.

     I could not however get past line 1 of the Global RTOFS … example

     >>> from mpl_toolkits.basemap import Basemap
     Traceback (most recent call last):
     File “”, line 1, in
     ImportError: No module named basemap
     >>>

     Using Google I found …

     http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.comp.python.matplotlib.general/31359

     With the following hint …

     ‘You are not running macports python (you’re running Apple python). Try running /opt/local/bin/python27, and then import basemap.’

     Looking at my console on startup I see ….

     Python 2.7.3 (default, Nov 17 2012, 19:54:34)
     [GCC 4.2.1 Compatible Apple Clang 4.1 ((tags/Apple/clang-421.11.66))] on darwin
     Type “help”, “copyright”, “credits” or “license” for more information.

     Imported NumPy 1.6.2, SciPy 0.11.0, Matplotlib 1.2.0
     Type “scientific” for more details.
     >>>

     Where to go from here???

     Reply ↓

2. solution is exit spyder and then activate the terminal window …

   $ sudo port uninstall py27-matplotlib-basemap

   $ sudo port install py27-matplotlib-basemap

   $ spyder-2.7&

   and then had to change script line 7 from

   import netCDF4

   to

   import Scientific.IO.NetCDF as netCDF4

   as it turns out, the rtofs_glo_3dz_f120_daily_3ztio.nc file is 1.9 GB and is difficult to download via wirelss, perhaps I can get it on a thumbdrive

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   • Thank you Bob!

     Reply ↓

3. This is a fantastic tutorial, many thanks!
   I have tried to follow the instructions step by step, and I do manage to open Spyder from the terminal. However, when I try and run any program, it quits with the error message “Python quite unexpectedly”. Having googled around, and also given the fact that in my terminal I get such warnings:
   “libpng warning: iCCP: cHRM chunk does not match sRGB”
   I am starting to think that I have a problem with the graphics. I did install Tcl/Tk as per step 3. I have also installed py27-pyqt4 (via macports) but still have the same problem with Python quitting.
   In /usr/bin/ I have
   tclsh -> tclsh8.5
   tclsh8.4 -> ../../System/Library/Frameworks/Tcl.framework/Versions/8.4/tclsh8.4
   tclsh8.5 -> ../../System/Library/Frameworks/Tcl.framework/Versions/8.5/tclsh8.5
   Could it be that I am linking to the wrong tcl/tk, or that it is in the wrong location?
   Grateful for any advice,
   Rakia

   Reply ↓

   • You may want to install python via Anaconda. It comes with lots of modules, including Spyder…. http://continuum.io/downloads

     Reply ↓

     • Thank you for your reply!
       I’ve installed Anaconda, and unfortunately, I have the same issue still. When I open Spyder from the Anaconda launcher and try to execute a program, Python quits unexpectedly…