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Not to nitpick here, but I want to clarify something you said. > Per above, Python is used by your OS. It's installed by default, and not uninstallable, becaus
by uxp 16y ago
Not to nitpick here, but I want to clarify something you said.
> Per above, Python is used by your OS. It's installed by default, and not uninstallable, because the OS needs it.
The OS doesn't need python. It is some package you have installed that needs python, like Gnome(py-gtk2) or KDE(py-qt), for your desktop environment or some application you decided you needed. If you don't understand what program on your server required python to be installed, then you shouldn't be administering a server. Having large numbers of language interpreters and compilers on a server can be considered a security risk, since after someone gains access, that provides him or her a large number of options of what kind of code he or she can run. Even having a C compiler is a risk, since code can then be compiled into programs already present on the system. Security should be first in mind when developing an application server.
On the other hand for a development environment, there should be nothing stopping any distribution from installing multiple language interpreter versions. The default `/usr/bin/python` or `/usr/local/bin/python` can be a symlink to python25, python26 or python27, and when the user needs to run a different version, they explicitly call the binary with the version number. This whole virtualenv method just to parse a configuration file of a program not written in python seemed a little excessive.
- nailer 16y ago> The OS doesn't need python. It is some package you have installed that needs python No. The installer and packaging system need Python. Anaconda and Yum depend on it. Try removing it and see. You cannot install a minimal RHEL or Fedora system without Python. I am fairly sure this applies to other distros too.
- uxp 16y agoWhats to stop you from patching and compiling programs yourself to get rid of the python dependancies of your package manager? If the Linux distro you choose doesn't meet your needs, why would you continue to use it? If your Fedora install requires it to be one way, but that doesn't fit the need of the server, it would like one should reconsider why they are using that distro.
- gaius 16y agoIf you're just running Linux on your PC in your dorm room, go for it. If you're running 10,000 machines you don't make changes that you haven't regression tested and aren't committed to supporting. Effectively, you'd need to write your own package manager, maintain your own repository and deal with upstream yourself... You'd be Red Hat.
- gaius 16y agoNot true. In some Linux distros Python is used for system scripts, instead of sh. If you don't understand what program on your server required python to be installed, then you shouldn't be administering a server Quite.