It's more like after PHP 5 the community had learned that lesson, while python didn't have the chance yet. Given that, I think the PHP community handled the sp

It's more like after PHP 5 the community had learned that lesson, while python didn't have the chance yet. Given that, I think the PHP community handled the split much better, with the FIG pushing hard for PHP 5. I think the difference is that most of PHP install base was managed by third parties (hosting providers) and once you lobbied those you basically forced everyone to upgrade. With python most of the install base is proprietary, and thus more fragmented, which makes it much more complicated to lobby for an upgrade.