Debian / Ubuntu Linux Apache mod_python Configuration

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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.

Posted by: Vivek Gite

The author is the creator of nixCraft and a seasoned sysadmin and a trainer for the Linux operating system/Unix shell scripting. He has worked with global clients and in various industries, including IT, education, defense and space research, and the nonprofit sector. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+.

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11 comment

  3. 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.

    Reply Report comment

  6. 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!

    Reply Report comment

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