py27-matplotlib - build failure

[davideproment@…]

After running a selfupdate (version 2.3.4), I executed sudo port upgrade outdated. I then got the following issue in building the py-matplotlib (I use python2.7):

--->  Computing dependencies for py-matplotlib
--->  Dependencies to be installed: py27-matplotlib
--->  Building py27-matplotlib
Error: org.macports.build for port py27-matplotlib returned: command execution failed
Error: Failed to install py27-matplotlib
Please see the log file for port py27-matplotlib for details:
    /opt/local/var/macports/logs/_opt_local_var_macports_sources_rsync.macports.org_release_tarballs_ports_python_py-matplotlib/py27-matplotlib/main.log
Error: The following dependencies were not installed: py27-matplotlib
To report a bug, follow the instructions in the guide:
    http://guide.macports.org/#project.tickets
Error: Processing of port py-matplotlib failed

[davideproment@…]

main.log file

[mf2k (Frank Schima)]

In the future, please use WikiFormatting and Cc the port maintainers (port info --maintainers py-matplotlib), if any.

[davideproment@…]

Replying to mf2k@…: Sorry for not using WikiFormatting, and thanks for modifying my ticket accordingly.

[seanfarley (Sean Farley)]

:info:build IOError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: '/opt/local/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/lib/python2.7/site-packages/numpydoc-0.5-py2.7.egg-info/PKG-INFO'

Did you happen to install something with sudo pip install ...?

[davideproment@…]

Replying to sean@…:

:info:build IOError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: '/opt/local/Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/2.7/lib/python2.7/site-packages/numpydoc-0.5-py2.7.egg-info/PKG-INFO'

Did you happen to install something with sudo pip install ...?

I think I might have done this, yes! Over the last weeks have been installing some packages which were not available as ports and might have installed something in that way.

Why this is a problem? How can I solve this issue?

[seanfarley (Sean Farley)]

MacPorts manages everything under /opt/local so installing something by hand into that directory will confuse it. Like it did in your case. If you need something outside of MacPorts for python, then the easiest option is to use a virtualenv. Optionally, you could submit a portfile to add that package. In your case, I'd start by uninstall whatever you installed with pip and then trying the upgrade again.

[davideproment@…]

Replying to sean@…:

MacPorts manages everything under /opt/local so installing something by hand into that directory will confuse it. Like it did in your case. If you need something outside of MacPorts for python, then the easiest option is to use a virtualenv. Optionally, you could submit a portfile to add that package. In your case, I'd start by uninstall whatever you installed with pip and then trying the upgrade again.

Dear Sean, thanks for your explanations. I am a bit newbie of python as I have been using it only recently and installing many modules for science research purposes.

As a matter of fact, I do not remember which module(s) I have been installing by hand! Any idea on how can I find this information?

Can you also explain me (or give me some useful links) on how to use the virtualenv? I wonder if the easiest solution in my case would be to delete all /opt/local/ python framework and reinstall everything...