Why does Idle keep crashing? (Mac)

Question

I just installed python 2.6 on Mac OS X (Snow Leopard) and when I start IDLE it keeps quitting!

I removed all the installations of python by: rm -rf /Library/Frameworks/Python.Framework

and then re-installed it and I still get the same problem :(

Any ideas what it might be?

Thanks

Answer 1

You are undoubtedly using a version of Python that is dynamically linking to the Apple-supplied Tcl/Tk 8.5 in OS X 10.6. That version of Tcl/Tk is seriously flawed. There are several easy ways to avoid the problem, the simplest being to install a current Python 2.7 (or now out-of-date 2.6) installer from python.org and, for the 64-bit/32-bit installers, install an up-to-date ActiveTcl 8.5. There is more information here.

I should add that, while that is by far the most common problem with IDLE on OS X 10.6, it is possible there could be another cause. Take a look at the system.log (with Console.app) you are launching IDLE.app or start IDLE from a shell and see what error messages are being reported.