matplotlib install fails (python version conflict)

[jhmsmits@…]

Installation of matplotlib on a (fresh) DarwinPorts system fails. It starts building the following ports (in this order): freetype-2.1.9, agg-2.2, zlib-1.2.2, libpng-1.2.8, python-2.4, dateutil-0.5, numarray-1.1.1, numeric-23.6, tz-2004d, python-2.3.4 ... and then

---> Activating python23 2.3.4_3 Error: Target com.apple.activate returned: Image error: /opt/local/bin/idle is being used by the active python24 port. Please deactivate this port first, or use the -f flag to force the activation. Error: The following dependencies failed to build: python23

The modules (dateutil, numarray, etc.) are being built against python-2.4, but matplotlib assumes python-2.3. I deactivated python24, activated python23, and copied the 2.4/site-packages/modules to 2.3, but that didn't work.

[blb@…]

To possibly get it working now, you can try modifying the Portfile for py-matplotlib to make it use python 2.4; change the line

PortGroup python 1.0

to

PortGroup python24 1.0

I haven't had the time to get 2.4 up and running, and testing modules, hence the port wants python 2.3 still.

[jhmsmits@…]

That's the solution! Thanks very much for the quick reply. It also worked for other modules like py-mysql.