title: Compile Python 2.7.3 from source on a system with Python 2.7 already
body: <p>I wish to compile Python 2.7.3 from source. The OS is OpenSUSE 11.4 x86_64, which already provides Python 2.7. I'd like to use 2.7.3 for the latest security patches, but it's a shared system so I can't tinker with the system Python interpreter.</p>
  
  <p>I compile using <code>./configure --prefix=/opt/python --enable-shared</code>. No configure errors, so I <code>make</code>. Again no errors. I do a <code>make install</code> (I don't think I need <code>make altinstall</code>, since this installation prefix in <code>/opt/python</code> isn't in use yet).</p>
  
  <p>When I try to run the new binary <code>/opt/python/bin/python</code>, Python announces its version as 2.7, not 2.7.3. The only way I've found to correct this is to move the system's <code>/usr/lib64/libpython2.7.so.1.0</code>, and symlink it to <code>/opt/python/lib/python/libpython2.7.so.1.0</code>. This works and Python announces it is 2.7.3, but this breaks the system Python.</p>
  
  <p>Is there anyway I can get the two to coexist, e.g. by getting the <code>/opt/python</code> to use its own libpython? Other than supplying LD_LIBRARY_PATH at runtime. Is there a compile time solution? Thanks.</p>