Install python module on university computer

Question

I am trying to install dropbox on my university host, and that requires python module docutils. So, after downloading the module and running python install.py I get the following output:

running install
running build
running build_py
running build_scripts
running build_data
running install_lib
creating /usr/local/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/docutils
error: could not create '/usr/local/lib/python2.7/dist-packages/docutils': Read-only file system

Not surprising really, I can't do any writing outside my home directory. My question is - is there a way to install it in my home folder?

Thanks

possible duplicate of How to install python modules without root access? — Wooble
– Wooble, Commented Apr 9, 2013 at 17:18

Jakob Bowyer · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-09 17:01:19Z

3

With the latest version of pip, one way to do it is:

pip install --user project

answered Apr 9, 2013 at 17:01

Jakob Bowyer

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4 Comments

Yotam Over a year ago

Hey, I tried 'pip install -t ./docutils docutils-0.10.tar.gz' - got a lot of warnings but also 'Successfully installed docutils'. When running dropbpx ./configure I have the same problem - ot doesn't recognize the module. Does pip let python interpreter know that there's a module isntalled locally, or do I have to specify it when I import it?

Wooble Over a year ago

-t requires an install location; --user should put it somewhere that Python already looks for modules (where possible).

Yotam Over a year ago

So if I type '--user ~/modules' flag I tell python to look for modules in '~/modules'?

Wooble Over a year ago

no, --user doesn't take an argument; pip and python know where your user python modules directory should be.

stavxyz · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-10 01:32:46Z

2

The best way to circumvent system level modifications/additions when acquiring python modules is to use virtualenv and its wrapper, to make it easier, virtualenvwrapper, along with pip. Perhaps these are already installed? Try

$ mkvirtualenv dropboxEnv # or whatever you want to call it
$ workon dropboxEnv       # to activate the virtual environment

and/or

$ pip install docutils

if you don't have pip you can first try

$ easy_install pip

AFAIK, a virtualenv is the only way to "install" a module into your home folder. Trying to get virtualenv/virtualenvwrapper installed might be a good option. If those aren't already installed, you might try to find someone to install those on your machine system-wide, then you would be able to create any virtualenvs and install any modules you want into your home folder.

edited Apr 10, 2013 at 1:32

answered Apr 9, 2013 at 17:26

stavxyz

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3 Comments

Ned Deily Over a year ago

virtualenv is convenient but not the only way to install a Python module into your home folder. An other answer mentions the --user configuration option supported by Distutils and pip. You can also use the PYTHONPATH enviornment variable or dynamically sys.path.

stavxyz Over a year ago

Nice. Didn't know about the --user tag. Thanks. I am aware of PYTHONPATH, but what do you mean by "you can also use the PYTHONPATH environment variable?" in this scenario?

Ned Deily Over a year ago

You can install Python modules in any directory and then set PTYHONPATH to add that directory to the search path Python uses when importing modules. There are times when that may be more appropriate than using a virtualenv. But, for many use cases, virtualenv is simpler.

Serjik · Accepted Answer · 2013-08-31 13:43:42Z

0

If you have downloaded version try this

python setup.py install --user

answered Aug 31, 2013 at 13:43

Serjik

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