How do I make python modules available to all users?

I work in a multi-user setting and am relatively new to Python. The machines in question run Ubuntu 16.04, and we are using Python 2.7. I personally have installed several additional modules, such as tensorflow, keras, and some other related modules and I believe I used the pip installer (pip 18.0 from /usr/local/lib/python2.7/) to install these (sudo pip install X).

I've been successfully running python scripts for months using all of these modules but another user has been unable to run any python code that uses any of the modules that I've installed. Even a 1-line script that exists only to import a module such as:

import tensorflow

fails to run, generating an ImportError (I'll only paste the last couple of lines):

File "/usr/local/lib/python2.7/dist- 
 packages/tensorflow/python/ops/variable_scope.py", line 24, in <module>
import enum  # pylint: disable=g-bad-import-order
ImportError: No module named enum

What did I do wrong that's making these modules invisible to other users, and how can I fix it?

C McNorgan

Posted 2019-01-10T15:19:38.967

Reputation: 1

Answers

I strongly recommend avoid using python-pip on production context. Modules installed that way aren't updated during system updates which may lead to vulnerabilities that never get patched ....

Nevertheless, pip, by default, install the module only in calling user's $HOME. For pip to install "system-wide", use the --system switch.

For more details, see pip install --help output

EDIT --system looks to be a debian specific option.

binarym@avalon:/tmp/python-pip-18.1/debian/patches$ grep -- '--system' *
set_user_default.patch:+:ref:`--system <install_--system>` option to ``pip install``.
set_user_default.patch:+            '--system',

Thanks @co2f2e for your comment.

binarym

Posted 2019-01-10T15:19:38.967

Reputation: 320

where did you get that option --system ? – co2f2e – 2019-11-20T23:45:41.620

As mentionned in my answer, pip install --help – binarym – 2019-11-21T11:58:01.503

https://pip.pypa.io/en/stable/reference/pip_install/#example-requirements-file please go through the documentation . No such option is available – co2f2e – 2019-11-21T19:23:08.827

You're right... Looks like my Debian implements a pip option that doesn't exist in uptstream. Maybe a Debian patch ? – binarym – 2019-11-21T20:35:23.317

There never been such an option @binarym – co2f2e – 2019-11-21T20:36:39.883

@co2f2e see my edit. I fetched the source package for python-pip on Debian. The --system is implemented by a patch that has probably been added by Debian maintainer. – binarym – 2019-11-21T20:40:21.943

this is more of a hacky way to do it – co2f2e – 2019-11-21T20:51:21.013

Seeing the number of response in this question ... looks like it is the "only" way to do it ? ;-( – binarym – 2019-11-22T08:57:40.600

Negative, if you install any module like pip install dependency, without specifying a user it will available for all users – co2f2e – 2019-11-22T09:06:34.287

no such option: --system – Vasin Yuriy – 2020-02-12T08:21:02.387

Did you read comments ? – binarym – 2020-02-13T09:05:43.553

I can confirm pip3 --help does not show the --system switch. But it was accepted. Also, I had to use this as root. Simply doing sudo pip3 install x --system failed.

Example.

sudo su
pip3 install x --system

Clutch_Reboot

Posted 2019-01-10T15:19:38.967

Reputation: 1

no such option: --system – Vasin Yuriy – 2020-02-12T08:20:20.950