Python3 Installation

Since macOS Catalina will remove Python and 2.7 will be deprecated on 1.1.2020, I guess we will need to upgrade to the latest version.

What do we have to do?
Will 7.4 support Python3?
Any concerns?

[jay (support)]

Catalina does not remove Python 2.7 (and it doesn't appear to have Python 3).

I think some people think the next version of macOS will make the switch (or remove Python completely) since official support for Python 2 will end next year. I still have doubts, but we'll know more after the developer's conference in June.

We have a plan, but it's not something we have to do with 7.4.

See this post from Apple: macOS Catalina 10.15 Beta 9 Release Notes

Scroll down to Scripting Language Runtimes where it says:

Deprecations

• Scripting language runtimes such as Python, Ruby, and Perl are included in macOS for compatibility with legacy software. Future versions of macOS won’t include scripting language runtimes by default, and might require you to install additional packages. If your software depends on scripting languages, it’s recommended that you bundle the runtime within the app. (49764202)
• Use of Python 2.7 isn’t recommended as this version is included in macOS for compatibility with legacy software. Future versions of macOS won’t include Python 2.7. Instead, it’s recommended that you run python3 from within Terminal. (51097165)

[jay (support)]

Yep (though I still have doubts). More fun structural changes for next year...

Why is it so "difficult" to just use Python3 now?

This is only used for Indigo scripts, right? The syntax should remain the same anyway.

I mean on 1.1.2020 Python 2.7 is history - aka not supported anymore.

Look here:
https://pythonclock.org

Why is it so "difficult" to just use Python3 now?

This is only used for Indigo scripts, right? The syntax should remain the same anyway.

I mean on 1.1.2020 Python 2.7 is history - aka not supported anymore.

Look here:
https://pythonclock.org

Because Python2 is included in MacOS X. Python3 is not.

And "not supported" does not mean "breaks immediately". It'll work the same as it does now, until Apple doesn't pre-install it anymore.

Why is it so "difficult" to just use Python3 now?

This is only used for Indigo scripts, right? The syntax should remain the same anyway.

I mean on 1.1.2020 Python 2.7 is history - aka not supported anymore.

Look here:
https://pythonclock.org

I am no expert but the shift is much more than a simple version change, and it is not backwards compatible, and lots of the modules do not necessarily have a python 3 equivalent. The plugin contributors would know more but expect many of your favourite plugins to need material rework. The implications of “out of support” are not anything like that of an OS. Lot’s of work on plumbing will I am sure distract from the effort for new features so I think the balance here is reasonable.

[jay (support)]

The implications of “out of support” are not anything like that of an OS..

Yep.

[jay (support)]

Because Python2 is included in MacOS X. Python3 is not.

Yep.

How about both? I have Python 3.8 installed on my Mac in addition to Python 2.7. I use Python 3 regularly for non-indigo applications on both the Mac and raspberry pi and like the additional functionality it provides. Would it be possible to allow the indigo server to select the Python runtime environment at startup? This would allow legacy plugins to run and give developers the opportunity to test Python 3 upgrades as well. It seems like a good transition plan. I'm sure that you have considered this, but I'd appreciate your thoughts.

[jay (support)]

Would it be possible to allow the indigo server to select the Python runtime environment at startup? This would allow legacy plugins to run and give developers the opportunity to test Python 3 upgrades as well. It seems like a good transition plan. I'm sure that you have considered this, but I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Unlikely - the dev/qa hit to a tiny company like us would be prohibitive. It's likely that we'll just have to bundle our own Python at some point, and we'll focus on a single Python release then (likely Python 3).

Thanks Jay. I love indigo, so I'll just wait for Python 3.

How can I install Python3 without issues with Indigo?
How can I run Python3 scripts from Indigo? Run a Terminal command?

How can I install Python3 without issues with Indigo?
How can I run Python3 scripts from Indigo? Run a Terminal command?

What OS are you on? Catalina comes with both Python 2 and Python 3.

You could use the run shell script command to run an external Python3 script. It just won't be able to use any Indigo functions.

Cool, thanks, I use Catalina. I was not aware that it is already installed.