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ActivePython for Applications from Mission-Critical Systems to Open Source Projects

ActivePython is the industry-standard, commercial-grade Python distribution used by millions of developers around the world for easy Python installation and quality-assured code. ActivePython comes precompiled for out-of-the-box installation and includes core python binaries, popular modules, the Python Package Manager (PyPM) and complete documentation. Whether you're using Python for mission-critical applications or open source projects, ActivePython offers significant time savings over open source Python for installing, removing, upgrading, and managing common Python modules. ActivePython comes in different editions to satisfy the spectrum of users - from large enterprises running Python on distributed or critical applications to community developers building open source applications.

ActivePython now includes key Python open source packages specifically for financial and scientific computing markets (NumPy, SciPy, matplotlib) - available in Business, Enterprise, and OEM Editions.

Find out which ActivePython version and edition fits your needs.

Learn more about ActivePython 3.

ActivePython Features:

Fully binary-compatible Python build of core Python 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 and Python 3.1

Python Package Manager (PyPM) for:

  • Installing, removing, upgrading, and managing the use of common Python modules
  • Simpler module management
  • Time and effort savings

Commonly used external Python modules:

  • ElementTree for XML processing
  • zlib and bzip2 for data compression
  • Tkinter (using Tcl/Tk 8.5)
  • PyWin32

New packages for data centric financial modeling and scientific computing applications (available in ActivePython Business, Enterprise, and OEM Editions):

  • NumPy: The fundamental library needed for financial and scientific computing with Python
  • SciPy: A suite of scientific tools for Python, depends on the NumPy library
  • matplotlib: A Python numerical plotting library

Installers for simple setup across platforms:

Latest releases: ActivePython 2.6, 2.7 and 3.1

What's new in ActivePython 2.6

  • PyPM is now included in 64-bit Windows and Linux builds
  • Upgrade to PyPM 0.2.0b1
  • Upgrade to Tcl/Tk 8.5.8
  • Windows Support for OpenSSL in 64-bit
  • For a complete list of changes, see the ActivePython 2.6 release notes

What's new in ActivePython 2.7

  • Include PyPM for Python 2.7
  • Upgrade to Python 2.7rc1 (1st release candidate for 2.7)
  • Upgrade to sqlite 3.6.21
  • For a complete list of changes, see the Python 2.7rc1 release notes

What's new in ActivePython 3.1

  • Upgrade to core Python 3.1
  • Upgrade to Tcl/Tk 8.5.7 and Tix 8.4.3
  • Windows Upgrade to PyWin32 211+
  • Windows x64 build available
  • Security upgrade to openssl-0.9.8k
  • For a complete list of changes, see the ActivePython 3.1 release notes

System Requirements

General

  • Recommended 50MB hard disk space for typical install
  • Web browser for online help

Windows

  • Windows XP or later

Mac

  • PowerPC: Minimum Mac OS X 10.4
  • x86: Minimum Mac OS X 10.4

Linux

  • x86 or x86_64
  • glibc-2.3+ (e.g. SuSE 10+, Oracle Enterprise Linux 4+)

Solaris - Available in ActivePython Business, Enterprise, and OEM Editions

  • SPARC: Minimum Solaris 8
  • x86: Minimum Solaris 10
  • You must use GNU tar to unpack the ActiveState Installer Package

HP-UX - Available in ActivePython Business, Enterprise, and OEM Editions

AIX - Available in ActivePython Business, Enterprise, and OEM Editions

  • PowerPC
  • Minimum AIX 5.1