How do I uninstall python from OSX Leopard so that I can use the MacPorts version?

Question

I want to use the macports version of python instead of the one that comes with Leopard.

Answer 1

Don't. Apple ships various system utilities that rely on the system Python (and particularly the Python "framework" build); removing it will cause you problems.

Instead, modify your PATH environ variable in your ~/.bash_profile to put /opt/local/bin first.

Answer 2

I have both installed:

$ which python
/usr/bin/python
$ which python2.5
/opt/local/bin/python2.5

I also added the following line to my .profile:

export PATH=/opt/local/bin:/opt/local/sbin:$PATH

Answer 3

Use the python_select port to switch python interpreters.

sudo port install python25
sudo port install python_select
sudo python_select python25

This will symlink /opt/local/bin/python to the selected version. Then export PATH as described above.