Mac Ports Python 2.6.6 and Tkinter

Question

Hi guys, I apologize if this has been asked but does Tkinter work in Python 2.6.6 when installed with Mac Ports? Or do I need to pass the no_tkinter variant?

Thanks for any help!

Answer 1

pytkinter 2.4.6 is the latest version available on macports and works with python 2.4

• http://trac.macports.org/browser/trunk/dports/python/py-tkinter/Portfile

Answer 2

As of MacPorts python26 @2.6.6_0 and tk @8.5.8_0, Tkinter appears to only work if you don't mind using an X11-based Tk. There is a +quartz variant for the Tk port which does not require X11 but it is not yet supported in 64-bit mode, the preferred build and execution architecture on OS X 10.6, and at the moment it seems to not work in 32-bit mode either (tk @8.5.8_0). If you don't mind having MacPorts pull in a bunch of X11 client build dependencies and using X11 for Tkinter applications, the default variant looks like it works OK (lightly tested with OS X 10.6.4 and python26 @2.6.6_0). This applies to IDLE as well, since it uses Tkinter. Otherwise, stick to +no_tkinter if you can live without Tkinter and IDLE.

By the way, the Python 2.6.6 installed by the python.org installer (32-bit only) uses either the Apple-supplied Quartz Tk 8.4 for OS X 10.4 through 10.6 or it will use an ActiveState Tcl/Tk 8.4 if you have installed it. MacPorts currently has no provision for using either of them.