I‘ve installed a Web server (Apache2) and like to use Python interpreter correctly. How do I configure mod_python under Debian or Ubuntu Linux running Apache server version 2.x?
You need to install the following software:
a] libapache2-mod-python : Mod_python is a module that embeds the Python language interpreter within the server, allowing Apache handlers to be written in Python. Mod_python brings together the versatility of Python and the power of the Apache Web server for a considerable boost in flexibility and performance over the traditional CGI approach.
b] Apache2 webserver.
Install mod_python
Open terminal and type the following command:
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install libapache2-mod-python libapache2-mod-python-doc
Configure mod_python
You need to create directory to host your python scripts. Type the following command:
$ sudo mkdir /var/www/py
Give your account permission to access the scripts:
$ sudo chown yourname:www-data /var/www/py
Now, open /etc/apache2/sites-available/default, enter:
$ sudo -s
# vi /etc/apache2/sites-available/default
Add the following config code:
<Directory /var/www/py>
AddHandler mod_python .py
PythonHandler hello
PythonDebug On
</Directory>Save and close the file. Restart Apache2 server:
# /etc/init.d/apache2 restart
# tail -f /var/log/apache2/error.log
You should see mod_python/3.3.1 Python/2.5.2 loaded:
[Tue Mar 17 02:42:18 2009] [notice] FastCGI: process manager initialized (pid 15572)
[Tue Mar 17 02:42:18 2009] [notice] mod_python: Creating 8 session mutexes based on 150 max processes and 0 max threads.
[Tue Mar 17 02:42:18 2009] [notice] mod_python: using mutex_directory /tmp
[Tue Mar 17 02:42:18 2009] [notice] Apache/2.2.9 (Ubuntu) mod_fastcgi/2.4.6 PHP/5.2.6-2ubuntu4.1 with Suhosin-Patch mod_python/3.3.1 Python/2.5.2 mod_perl/2.0.4 Perl/v5.10.0 configured -- resuming normal operations
How do I test mod_python?
Simply create the script as follows:
$ vi /var/www/py/hello.py
The following simple mod_python program serves as a good test:
from mod_python import apache def handler(req): req.log_error('handler') req.content_type = 'text/html' req.send_http_header() req.write('<html><head><title>Testing mod_python</title></head><body>') req.write('Hello World!') req.write('</body></html>') return apache.OK
Save and close the file. Now fire a webbrowser and type the url:
http://localhost/py/hello.py
You hould see “Hello World!” on screen.
Further readings:
This is just getting started tutorial and setting up the Python interpreter correctly. I recommend getting mod_python book or refer to Python Language Website.
🐧 11 comments so far... add one ↓
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the biggest misstake of all is to use mod_python for anything new – mod_wsgi is there, use it, its the standard
Hello friend, congratulations for the article, was excellent, I was killing me to install mod_python and you explained in a clear and objective.
grateful!
I followed your installation procedures carefully. However, when I ask for the hello.py from a browser I get the download menu asking me if I want to save or execute the file rather than getting a web page. How can I fix this? Any suggestions?
During installation the error.log was OK. The chown worked OK also.
Sorry, false alarm, I was able to figure this out myself. Just another stupid mistake. Thanks anyway.
I have the same problem, my browser ask me if I want download or open the file. How could you fix the problem ?? Thanks
Excelent, very easy !!!!! Thanks from Argentina !!!
It’s great, thank you very much
i have question!!
Syntax error on line 44 of /etc/apache2/sites-enabled/000-default:
Invalid command ‘PythonHandler’, perhaps misspelled or defined by a module not included in the server configuration
Action ‘configtest’ failed.
The Apache error log may have more information.
…fail!
its great thank u so much
hope god bless u
greate,thanks so much
thanks!!!!!