Take the 2-minute tour ×

I want to develop a Python application on Ubuntu 12.04 using python 2.4, but since the default version of python on ubuntu is 2.7. I cannot get the libraries and packages to work for python 2.4. I have tried using virtualenv but even with virtualenv I was not successful in installing packages for python2.4.

So I would like to know if there is any reliable method to get python 2.4 to work with Ubuntu. I know that I shouldnt mess with the default version of python on ubuntu and hence I am looking for a better alternative.

Thanks in advance.

share|improve this question
Why on earth would you use 2.4? You make more work for yourself, you have less features, and I don't think 2.4 even gets security patches any more. And anything you write for 2.4 should work in 2.7 anyway, so long as you avoid calling a variable with. –  Thomas K Nov 25 '12 at 18:03
add comment

1 Answer

There are 2 options:

And, I must ask: why 2.4? That version is ancient!

Edit: To install modules/packages for that version, you can't just use the ones from the Ubuntu repository. You'll need to get them from their website and do the regular python setup.py install and make sure you use the Python 2.4 interpreter. A bit easier probably is to use pip, but again, use it with the correct Python interpreter.

share|improve this answer
I have python2.4 already installed from the ppa. But I am having tough time getting the libraries for 2.4 and that is the only reason for the question. –  veepsk Nov 23 '12 at 18:04
Aha, got it. See my edit. –  Timo Nov 23 '12 at 18:48
add comment

Your Answer


