title: Purge complete Python installation on OS X
body: <p>I’m working on a recently-upgraded OS X Snow Leopard and MacPorts and I’m running into problems at every corner.</p>
  
  <p>The first problem is the sheer number of installed Python versions: altogether, there are four:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>2.5, 2.6 and 3.0 in <code>/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework</code></li>
  <li>2.6 in <code>/opt/local/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/</code> (MacPorts installation)</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>So there are at least two useless/redundant versions: 2.5 and the redundant 2.6.</p>
  
  <p>Additionally, the pre-installed Python is giving me severe problems because some of the pre-installed libraries (in particular, scipy, numpy and matplotlib) don’t work properly.</p>
  
  <p>I am sorely tempted to purge the complete <code>/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework</code> path, as well as the MacPorts Python installation. After that, I’ll start from a clean slate by installing a properly configured Python, e.g. that from <a href="http://www.enthought.com/products/epd.php" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Enthought</a>.</p>
  
  <p><strong>Am I running headlong into trouble?</strong> Or is this a sane undertaking?</p>
  
  <p>(In particular, I <em>need</em> a working Python in the next few days and if I end up with a non-working Python this would be a catastrophe of medium proportions. On the other hand, some features I need from matplotlib <em>aren’t</em> working now.)</p>